On Monday, Rwanda marked the World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the first time the country was commemorating the international day as it looks to increase awareness about the disease. The day seeks to raise awareness on prevention, effective care and control of head and neck cancer. In doing so, the country has taken a big step toward strengthening response mechanisms that can help reduce the risk and burden of head and neck cancer.

Though the number of such cases and deaths in Rwanda and Africa, generally, remains at about 2 per cent of the population, the country requires interventions that will increase awareness about habits that could put people at a greater risk of catching the disease.

Health experts say health professionals and the general population have limited knowledge about head and neck cancer. This could partly explain why some people do not seek medical attention when they develop complications in the head and neck.

Therefore, it is important that the government, health professionals and all the stakeholders in the health sector double efforts aimed at creating awareness among the public about the disease and other types of cancers since all cancers have catastrophic consequences when they are mismanaged or not treated at an early stage.

The public should be encouraged to go for regular checkups for head and neck cancer and indeed other cancers so those diagnosed with the disease can receive timely health care. It is also important that Rwandans understand that most cancers are curable if detected in its early stages, which makes regular checkups essential for everyone.