Abstract
Neoplasms of the brain are often overlooked in resource-limited countries. Our literature search via AJOL and PubMed demonstrated that brain tumor research is still a rarity in these regions. We highlight the current status, importance, challenges, and methods of improving brain tumor research in West Africa. We suggest that more attention be given to basic, clinical, and epidemiological brain tumor research by national governments, private organizations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals in this region.
Highlights
BackgroundGlobally, death from cancer alone is comparable to the combined deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
Death from cancer alone is comparable to the combined deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
Cancer was originally believed to be a disease of developed nations, but recent estimates indicate that it is a major health burden in resource-limited countries
Summary
Death from cancer alone is comparable to the combined deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The partnership on non-communicable diseases between the University of Ibadan and the University of Chicago has resulted in the training of many personnel from the resource-limited region of Nigeria and has brought out new insight in the genetics of breast cancer Such collaborations are welcomed and should be maintained and widened to include the field of brain tumors. International organizations, such as WHO, NIH, and the African Union would be ready to support initiatives that would clearly improve the health of the people in low-income countries. Private organizations, such as pharmaceutical companies, should be encouraged to sponsor brain tumor research in West Africa They should extend their financial support to include brain tumors in resource-limited countries because of the increased cancer burden in these regions and the associated demands for their products. Given the demonstrated research interest in intracranial tumors, global disease burden, and the need for further research in these populations, the NIH or other agencies should begin to fund brain cancer research in Africa as well [19, 56]
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