The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC) is dedicated to reducing the burden of esophageal cancer in Africa through clinical care, education, prevention and research.
Esophageal cancer (EC) claims 500,000 lives annually worldwide, with a high prevalence in Eastern Africa. In 2022 alone, Africa saw 30,000 new cases and 28,000 deaths. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one type of esophageal cancer that makes up 85% of EC worldwide and 90% of EC in Africa. Over 90% of EC in the high-risk areas is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In Africa, most EC patients present with advanced cancer and live only 3-6 months.
Ethiopia
Adis Ababa
Uganda
Jinja
Kenya
Bomet
Eldoret
Nairobi
Tanzania
Dar-es-Salaam
Moshi
Zambia
Lusaka
Malawi
Lilongwe
Blantyre
Mozambique
Maputo
South Africa
Johannesburg
East London
Pietermaritzburg
The AfrECC Foundation, established in 2024, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC). Its mission includes developing a strategic plan, creating a sustainability model, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the AfrECC Steering Committee, and supporting AfrECC activities. One of its goals is to raise funds to complement resources obtained through academic grants and equipment donations.
The AfrECC Foundation hosted a reception at Digestive Disease Week in Washington, DC, in May 2024, to discuss its mission. Attendees included Board members, American and international guests, and leading experts in esophageal cancer, including physicians, scientists, business leaders, and advocates for AfrECC.
In the past 10 years, we have completed 7 case-control studies of ESCC in 4 countries, including 2400 patients and 2400 controls.
The risk factors found include:
Wehave also collected genomic material on 3000 cases and controls which is nowbeing evaluated in a consortium-wide genomewide association study (GWAS).
Affordable endoscopic Equipment and Repairs
Support for attendance at AfrECC training programs and meetings
Support for fieldwork and analytical collaborative research
Education for patients, health care workers, donors and Ministries of Health
Your support can make a crucial difference in our mission. Every contribution of yours helps save lives.
A Kenyan woman who was diagnosed with ESCC at age 46. She had surgery in 1998 and has been cancer free since that time and is doing well at age 72.
This patient was 25 years old and pregnant, when she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Dr Russ White performed curative surgery while she was pregnant and his colleagues in Obstetrics delivered her baby at term. Since that time she has had 4 other healthy babies.
Before: This man was seen at age 22 unable to swallow his own saliva and was seriously malnourished as is seen in the images. He had no metastatic disease but initially could not undergo surgery because of his nutritional status. An esophageal stent was placed to allow him to swallow and gain weight.
After: He is shown with Dr Russ White, Chief Surgeon, Tenwek Hospital in Kenya after his operation which successfully removed all the esophageal cancer.
Prior to placement of esophageal stent neither of these patients could swallow their own saliva. Because they presented at such a late stage, neither were candidates for curative therapy. However, stent placement would dramatically improve the quality of their lives, provide some dignity, and allow them to participate in social situations with friends and relatives.
Has been the most significant supporter of AfrECC, providing equipment, guidance, and support for training courses
Has provided support for legal services
Has developed the AfrECC Website
