Impact of Environmental Carcinogens on Africa: A Quick Review of Health Indices in Africa between 2010 and 2024
Faridah Mobolanle Banwo
Department of Zoology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Junior Josephson Chukwuma
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
Ewaoluwa Promise Owoyemi
Department of Human Anatomy, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Paul Agwaza Kernen
Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Kosisochukwu Doris Ogbonna
Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria.
Eberechukwu Osinachi Azubuike
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Jane-Frances Chinenye Ojobor
Department of Biological Science, Benue State University, Markurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
David Odanibeh
Department of Biotechnology, University of the West of Scotland, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Chibuzo Valentine Nwokafor
*
Department of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria and Department of Biotechnology, University of the West of Scotland, Scotland, United Kingdom.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, with Africa experiencing a significant rise in cases over the past decade. This review explores the impact of environmental carcinogens on Africa's health indices from 2010 to 2024. Environmental carcinogens, comprising chemical, physical, and biological agents, contribute significantly to DNA damage, leading to cancer. These carcinogens can act directly, such as UV radiation, or indirectly, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which require bioactivation to become harmful. Carcinogens are classified based on their mode of action and their interplay between internal factors (e.g., inherited mutations) and external factors (e.g., chemical exposure) in cancer development. This review reveals a troubling increase in cancer cases across Africa, tied to widespread exposure to carcinogens. This paper calls for urgent public health measures and policies to reduce carcinogen exposure and mitigate cancer's growing impact in Africa.
Keywords: Africa, cancer, DNA damage, environmental carcinogens