India, Feb. 10 -- A new study found significant gaps and disparities in breast cancer control in 42 of the 47 countries in World Health Organization's (WHO) Africa region.

The assessment by WHO highlighted critical shortage of healthcare workers essential for prevention, diagnosis and treatment and restricted access to specialised cancer facilities, impeding advancements towards the objectives of the Global Breast Cancer Initiative.

In 2022, breast cancer incidence rates within the region varied considerably, ranging from 61.87 per 100,000 in Algeria to as low as seven per 100,000 in Sierra Leone, according to the report by WHO.

Eritrea, Gambia, Mauritius, Mauritania and South Africa did not participate in this survey.

Breast cancer i...