Rwanda continues to grapple with the growing burden of cancer, with more than 4,000 people losing their lives to the disease in 2023, according to the latest data released by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).
February 4 marks World Cancer Day, a global moment to reflect on the impact of cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Rwanda, the situation remains alarming, as highlighted in a 2023 report compiled by RBC and officially released in 2026.
Data from the Rwanda National Cancer Registry (RNCR) shows that 5,635 people were newly diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Meanwhile, the GLOBOCAN 2022 report estimates that about 4,887 people die from cancer annually in Rwanda. The same report indicates that nearly 15,000 people show early cancer-related conditions or precancerous infections, including Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis.
The report further outlines the 10 most common cancers diagnosed in Rwanda in 2023, based on new cases.
Breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women, with 719 new cases recorded in 2023, compared to 32 cases among men. Among men, prostate cancer topped the list, with 525 newly diagnosed cases during the same year.
Cervical cancer ranked second overall, with 664 women diagnosed in 2023. Stomach cancer followed, ranking fourth, affecting 271 women and 222 men. Liver cancer came in fifth, with 195 cases among men and 186 among women.
Colorectal cancer ranked sixth, with 185 women and 145 men diagnosed. Blood-related cancers also featured prominently, with leukemia ranking seventh after being diagnosed in 145 women and 158 men, while lymphoma ranked eighth, affecting 135 women and 114 men.
Respiratory system cancers ranked ninth, with 104 women and 76 men newly diagnosed, while oral cancer completed the top 10, with 99 cases among men and 60 among women.
Rwanda has set an ambitious target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, in line with the World Health Organization’s global 90-70-90 strategy. The approach aims to vaccinate 90 per cent of girls aged 13–15 against HPV, screen 70 per cent of women aged 29–49 for cervical cancer, and ensure that 90 per cent of women with precancerous lesions or early signs of the disease receive appropriate treatment. So far, nine out of Rwanda’s 30 districts have already achieved these targets.
In parallel, the country has rolled out a National Cancer Control Programme aimed at reducing cancer incidence and improving survival rates through five strategic pillars. These include prevention, early detection and screening; diagnosis, treatment and patient care; palliative care and survivorship support; governance and financial protection; as well as monitoring, evaluation and cancer research.
Health authorities say sustained investment in prevention, early detection and treatment remains critical if Rwanda is to curb the rising cancer burden and save more lives.
