More than 7,300 people are diagnosed with blood cancer annually in South Africa, while close to 5,000 die from the disease each year, as health advocates warn that low awareness and delayed diagnosis continue to cost lives.
It is revealed that the disease affects more than 21,000 people currently living with blood cancer in South Africa, with health advocates warning that late diagnosis remains a major challenge due to low awareness of early symptoms.
DKMS Africa, a non-profit organisation focused on building stem cell donor registries, says many patients still struggle to access life-saving treatment due to a shortage of matched donors, particularly in underrepresented communities.
“Blood cancer is often misunderstood and diagnosed too late because its symptoms are easily dismissed,” the organisation said.
“This delay can significantly affect treatment outcomes.”
