The Family Practitioner’s role in the integrated continuum of cancer care

The age-standardised incidence of cancer in South Africa is estimated to be 170/100 000 women and 254/100 000 men.2 Although the incidence of cancer varies widely in different parts of the world and is generally reported as being significantly higher in high income countries – in many cases more than double that of lowand middle-income countries – it is reported that the incidence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is rising at an alarming rate. The proportion of people developing cancer for the first time from lowand middle-income countries will rise to 70% by 2030.3