By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
A partnership between the University of Buea and the Association of Cameroonian Physicians in the Americas is opening a new chapter in cancer prevention and medical capacity building in Cameroon, with a strong focus on early detection, public awareness, professional training and long-term health system strengthening. The collaboration, launched in Buea through a four-day medical mission, reflects a shared objective of improving cancer care through practical service delivery and academic exchange.
The initiative, which began on March 24, 2026, combines free and subsidized cancer screening, specialist consultations, clinical demonstrations and academic sessions aimed at addressing one of the country’s growing public health concerns. Organized by the Association of Cameroonian Physicians in the Americas (ACPA), a network of more than 200 Cameroonian doctors practicing across over 25 medical specialties in the Americas, the mission is being carried out in collaboration with local health institutions and the University of Buea’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
At the centre of the partnership is the goal of reducing late cancer diagnosis, which remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in Cameroon. Screening and diagnostic services are taking place at the Buea Regional Hospital and Clear Radiology, where residents are receiving examinations for some of the most common cancers affecting the population, notably breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers. These services, offered either free of charge or at subsidized rates, are expected to continue until March 27, 2026.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, represented by Professor Michael Ekonde Sone, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Teaching, professionalisation and the development of ICTs, described the visit of the Association of Cameroonian Physicians in the Americas (ACPA) as a major step forward in strengthening cancer prevention, early detection and medical education in Cameroon. In his address during the launch of the ACPA Cancer Screening and Advanced Education Programme, he highlighted the growing cancer burden in Cameroon, noting that the country records about 19,564 new cancer cases annually, with more than 65 percent resulting in death. According to him, breast and cervical cancers remain the most common, while a significant number of patients are diagnosed only at advanced stages, reducing chances of survival and making treatment more difficult and expensive.
Prof. Michael Ekonde stressed that the programme’s two main objectives are particularly important to the University of Buea’s public health mission. The first is a wide screening campaign aimed at promoting early detection, which he said greatly improves survival rates, reduces complications and lowers treatment costs when cancers are identified before spreading. He added that introducing modern screening techniques will help improve outcomes for communities in and around Buea.
The second major objective, he noted, is advanced training and continuous education for lecturers, health professionals and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Through workshops and academic exchanges, participants are expected to gain updated knowledge and practical oncology skills that will strengthen patient-centered healthcare delivery.
He reaffirmed the University of Buea’s readiness to develop a durable partnership with ACPA, emphasizing that such collaboration aligns with the institution’s vision of combining research, training and community service. He thanked ACPA President, Dr. Luegenia Ndi for mobilizing the medical team and concluded that knowledge transfer remains essential for improving Cameroon’s health sector and achieving better cancer control outcomes.
Medical experts involved in the outreach say the collaboration is intended not only to provide direct services but also to change the culture of health-seeking behaviour by encouraging regular screening and preventive care. Speaking during the academic launch at the Faculty of Health Sciences Amphitheatre 500, ACPA President, Dr. Luegenia Ndi underlined the urgency of detecting cancer at an early stage, stressing that delayed diagnosis continues to place both lives and finances at risk.
According to her, many cancer patients in Cameroon still arrive at hospitals when the disease has already progressed to advanced stages, making treatment more difficult and survival rates significantly lower. She noted that early screening offers a better chance of treatment success, longer life expectancy and reduced medical costs for families already burdened by expensive treatment pathways.
Beyond patient consultations, the partnership also seeks to reinforce local medical expertise through training sessions for students and health professionals. The University of Buea hosted a scientific exchange where physicians from the diaspora delivered updated lectures on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment approaches, exposing students and practitioners to current international standards in oncology care.
For the University of Buea, this academic dimension is considered one of the most strategic components of the collaboration, as it contributes directly to strengthening future healthcare delivery through knowledge transfer. Participants from the Faculty of Health Sciences described the sessions as an opportunity to connect classroom knowledge with real-world clinical realities while deepening understanding of preventive medicine.
Chair of ACPA’s Medical Mission Committee, Dr. Foma Munoh Kenne, explained that the mission was deliberately designed in two phases to ensure both immediate impact and long-term relevance. The first phase focuses on screening for prevalent and preventable cancers, while the second phase concentrates on continuous education and bridging knowledge gaps between diaspora specialists and local practitioners.
He emphasized that this approach reflects the broader objective of building a sustainable partnership rather than organizing isolated short-term interventions. Practical demonstrations, particularly in breast cancer diagnostic techniques, are also being conducted for local health personnel to improve diagnostic confidence and strengthen routine clinical practice after the mission ends.
The collaboration is equally drawing attention to broader systemic reforms needed in cancer management across Cameroon. ACPA officials are advocating for stronger local data collection, arguing that treatment and screening strategies must increasingly reflect the country’s own epidemiological and genetic realities rather than relying solely on imported models.
Dr. Ndi noted that the long-term ambition includes working closely with public health authorities to encourage the development of national protocols that standardize screening practices across health facilities. Such reforms, she said, would make early diagnosis more accessible and more consistent nationwide.
Students and community members participating in the activities say the mission is already changing public perception about cancer, especially the misconception that diagnosis automatically means hopelessness. Through awareness sessions and direct interaction with specialists, many participants are beginning to understand that early detection remains one of the strongest tools for survival.
Organizers insist that the partnership between the University of Buea and ACPA is only the beginning of a broader vision. Discussions are underway to formalize the collaboration into a sustainable framework that will allow regular medical missions, academic exchanges and expanded specialist interventions in future years.
By combining diaspora expertise, university-based learning and direct patient care, the partnership is emerging as a practical model for strengthening healthcare delivery while addressing one of the most urgent non-communicable health threats facing Cameroon today.