90 per cent of albinos with skin cancer die, body says
What you need to know:
The society’s secretary general Musa Kabimba said Thursday most of those who die of the disease live in rural areas where crucial medical services for PWS are almost inaccessible.
Dar es Salaam. Nine out of 10 people with albinism who are diagnosed with skin cancer die of the deadly disease in the country annually, the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) has said.
The society’s secretary general Musa Kabimba said Thursday most of those who die of the disease live in rural areas where crucial medical services for PWS are almost inaccessible.
In 2011, 17,000 Tanzanian albinos were said to be at severe risk of skin cancer because of their fair, almost lily-white pigmentation that is particularly sensitive to the sun.
While all skin cancers are treatable if caught early enough, many patients simply do not get to the hospital in time.
At a press brief on the forthcoming international day of spreading knowledge on albinism on 13 June, TAS appealed for government intervention to stop the trend.
President John Magufuli is expected to grace the event at Mnazi Mmoja grounds from June 11 to 13.
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