WHO Report: Breast and Lung Cancer Cases Surge in Morocco

Like the international community, Morocco is severely affected by breast and lung cancer. Out of a population of 36,471,766, 52,783 have been affected by cancer, while 32,962 people have died from the disease, the WHO report states.

From 2012 to 2018, the number of women affected by breast cancer increased from nearly 6,000 to 12,000 cases, doubling. This number could reach 26,000 by 2024, warns the WHO. As for lung cancer, 3,928 cases were recorded in 2012 against 6,488 in 2018. This figure could reach 12,000 cases by 2024.

The rapid increase in breast and lung cancers in low-income countries is mainly due to the fact that they have had to devote limited health resources to the fight against infectious diseases and the improvement of maternal and child health, and that health services are not equipped to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers, explains the WHO.

Proof of this, the public health system of more than 90% of high-income countries has, in 2019, comprehensive cancer treatment services, compared to less than 15% for low-income countries, it is reported.