Expanding oesophageal cancer research and care in eastern Africa

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma African Prevention research (ESCCAPE) study and partners in the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC) are working to expand oesophageal cancer research and care in eastern Africa, including in priority areas such as palliative interventions, etiological work, and early detection. An article about the consortium has been published in Nature Reviews Cancer.

To date, AfrECC members have conducted seven case–control studies in Kenya, Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Malawi, together enrolling more than 2000 cases and 2000 controls. Risk factors reported by one or more sites include: exceptionally high exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, especially in women, probably due to indoor cooking with biomass fuel; poor oral health and hygiene; tobacco use and alcohol consumption; drinking hot beverages; and low socioeconomic status. AfrECC members are conducting a collaborative oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma genome-wide association study (GWAS) in eastern African countries, which will complement a similar GWAS under way in South Africa.

Oesophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer type and the sixth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Its burden varies globally, with high-risk belts across central Asia and on the eastern side of Africa. In these belts, 90% of the cases are of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. AfrECC includes more than 80 physicians and scientists working at 10 sites in nine countries in eastern and southern Africa, studying the etiology of this highly fatal cancer type and expanding the clinical capacity to improve cancer care.

The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium
Expanding oesophageal cancer research and care in eastern Africa
Nat Rev Cancer, Published online 4 March 2022;
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41568-022-00458-1

Read the article 

Visit the ESCCAPE study website 

Visit the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium webpage