The big C : cancer care in Tanzania.

Geoff Watts visits the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar-es-Salaam, the only cancer hospital in Tanzania, where Tanzania's five oncologists work. Dr Ngoma estimates there are 20,000 cancer patients a year, but only 10% get to a hospital. Most patients are women, of whom 6/10 have cervical cancer. 60% of the nations health budget is spent on HIV/AIDS, and this is increasing. At present, treatment of cancer is free, but this is not sustainable as it requires donations. Radiotherapy is free, but chemotherapy is too expensive for most patients. Western trained doctors are 1/26,000 popn, traditional healers are 1/700 popn, so most Tanzanians rely on healers, whose spiritual and social approach suits African problems. Skin cancer in albinos resulted in only 2% living past 40 years, but many have now been taught to avoid the sun.