IBM has developed an online tool called Cancer Guidelines Navigator to provide African oncology professionals with interactive access to the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) Harmonised Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa at no charge.

According to a statement released by the company, oncologists based in Sub Saharan Africa can input a clinical description for a cancer patient - such as tumour type, stage, biomarker status, and prior treatments - into the online tool.

The Cancer Guidelines Navigator then points the user to relevant treatment options input from the NCCN Harmonised Guidelines. At this time, the tool includes NCCN Harmonised Guidelines for cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma, the company adds.

It claims there are more than 800,000 new cancer cases each year in Sub-Saharan Africa and incidence is projected to double by 2040.

"And as these countries address the growing cancer epidemic, data and emerging technologies can play a significant role in cancer treatment control and care. The need for more affordable cancer treatment and strong systems for their delivery are crucial to help improve patients' survival."

To address gaps in access to cancer medicines, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) teamed up in 2016 to bring lower prices for 16 common chemotherapy drugs to a half-dozen countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Top American oncologists have supported the African Cancer Coalition - comprising of 110 African oncologists representing 34 hospitals from 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa - to adapt cancer-treatment guidelines for use in African hospitals.

The African Cancer Coalition, working with experts from NCCN, adapted the 46 NCCN Guidelines and NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN Guidelines (NCCN Framework) to create the NCCN Harmonised Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa specifically to be used by oncologists across Sub-Saharan Africa. These guidelines have been endorsed by leading cancer centres or health ministries in six countries to date, according to IBM.

IBM also helped to transform the ACS ChemoSafe Facility Assessment Tool - from an Excel-based document to an interactive, easy to use mobile application- to scale the program's goal of improving the safety and quality for chemotherapy handling in cancer centres.

This tool, which is accessible at no cost on iOS or Android mobile phones or tablets, allows healthcare workers to review the safety of hazardous drugs at each location where they may be handled in their healthcare facility, including the pharmacy receiving, treatment areas, housekeeping, and waste area.

Upon completion of the assessment, the tool provides recommendations to help improve the handling of hazardous drugs at potential points of exposure, based on international and national standards. This information may be used by hospitals to create policies and budgets supporting quality improvement.

Dr Solomon Assefa, Vice President, Africa & Emerging Market Solutions and Director, IBM Research – Africa, said: "With the increasing burden of cancer in this part of the world, we must strive to improve patients' access to timely and affordable care. Technology and data can help create efficient healthcare systems so that national and regional medical networks can increase support their local communities."

Professor Isaac Adewole, Co-chair of the African Cancer Coalition, added: "To address the growing burden of cancer in Africa and worldwide, African oncologists need quick and easy access to current treatment options as well as quality, affordable treatment for their patients. This alliance provides an opportunity to strengthen the ties within the global oncology community in ways that can deliver better outcomes for our patients."