The female gender has been making significant contributions to cancer treatment and care for decades. Be it as scientists, healthcare professionals, advocates or caregivers; women have undeniably played a vital role in reducing the devastating impact cancer has on individuals and societies across the globe. Although recent decades have seen great strides in the battle against cancer, there is still much work to be done. Projected incidence and mortality rates give a forewarning of the growing burden the disease will have on individuals, families, communities, societies and economies worldwide, unless more is done to prevent it. Statistics also examines the disproportionate impact cancer continues to have on women in low middle income countries and gives perspectives on the most effective ways to rectify this now and in the decades ahead.
A diagnosis of cancer comes with low chances of surviving and incidence and mortality are usually represented by closed data. This is due shortage of cancer drugs, radiotherapy centers, surgeons and oncologists. Most glaringly lacking are female oncologists. The under-representation of women in leadership roles is a theme that cuts across all sectors of the global workforce. Whilst women comprise up to 42% of the world’s paid working population, it is estimated that globally, they occupy only 24% of senior management positions. Within the healthcare sector, women comprise over 75% of the workforce in many countries, making them an important factor in the delivery of medical services. A closer examination however reveals a gender disparity at the professional level- Nursing and midwifery professionals are nearly 90% women, while only 25% of physicians are women. This presentation aims to highlight the contribution of African Oncologists in the fight against cancer with the secondary aim of inspiring the younger generation of African females to adopt the science of Oncology in greater numbers.