Comoros announces national cancer plan
Health officials met from October 20-22 to draft a strategic plan for cancer care, expected in December.
Comoros plans to establish a national strategy against cancer, with a draft plan due in December. From October 20 to 22, 2026, health officials met in Moroni to assess the country's current capabilities with support from the WHO and UNICEF.
The nation currently lacks a national registry to track cancer patients, diagnoses, and treatments. In 2022, an estimated 619 new cancer cases and 418 deaths were recorded, with uterine, prostate, and breast cancers being the most frequent, according to Globocan estimates.
The strategy aims to improve medical evacuations, strengthen island healthcare, and create a national cancer registry. A pilot project is planned within six months, potentially leading to the first oncology unit within a year.
Why it mattersComoros residents face challenges accessing cancer care due to a lack of national infrastructure and specialized services.