Cancer Case in Tanzania: Room for Development

  Today Tanzania is facing a cancer crisis with as many as 35,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed a year. 

  In spite of the emergence of cancer as a serious national problem, there are only two cancer hospitals in the country. 

  The largest cancer disease hospital is the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), located in Dar-es-salam. The Institute handles nearly 3,000 new cancer patients and up to 10,000 follow-up cases annually. Up to 20% of ORCI's patients are children, who are usually treated with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The ORCI is equipped with diagnostic imaging services and cancer screening. 

  However, regular screening and early diagnosis is not a common event in Tanzania. Only a small number of patients from all over the country can afford to travel to Dar-es-salaam for cancer check-up. 

The United Republic of Tanzania National Health Policy advocates the right for cancer patients to be treated free of charge. Prior to diagnosis, patients are required to cover for themselves the expenses related to screening of cancer and any other necessary medications which are not covered by the government.

  In general, this challenging situation with cancer patients can be alleviated by opening of new screening centers and nuclear medicine facilities which are indispensable for cancer diagnostics and treatment.  

  With advanced nuclear technologies, Tanzanian doctors will be able to deliver more precise diagnosis, treatment and be able to evaluate treatment given to cancer patients. Specialists at ORCI are now able to employ more innovative 3D scanning of tumors, that detects the abnormal cells at early stages with more accuracy than the scanners of previous generation.  

  Once the tumor is identified, medical specialists are able to use modern technology such as contouring computer software to define and separate the healthy tissue from affected one in order to apply radiation and medical isotopes in a more accurate way to minimize exposure to healthy tissues and organs. .

  Tanzanian government is exerting considerable efforts to tackle health issues with new strategies and programs at all levels, starting from preparation of specialists capable to deliver professional service. Compared to other East African countries, Tanzania is the only country with the highest number of nuclear medicine specialists even though their number is still very low.

  Nuclear medicine specialty involves the use of facilities such as PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computer Tomography) and currently PET/MRI(Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Hybrid SPECT/CT (Single Photon  Emission Computed Tomography),Thyroid Uptake System and so on.

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