BRAZZAVILLE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Congo has registered an average 500 new cases of cancer since 1996, according to the latest report released by the country.

    "It was in 1996 when we began cancer registration. Since then, we have registered an average 500 new cases every year," Dr. Judith Nsondé Malanda told a press conference on Monday ahead of the launch of an anti-cancer program in the country.

    Specialists from francophone Africa and Europe are expected to join the activities to be held in Brazzaville on Friday.

    The International Cancer Research Center has reported that 70 percent of the cancer cases worldwide will be found in developing countries by 2030, compared with the current 53 percent.

    In the Republic of Congo, it falls into four categories, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and liver cancer among children, said Ignace Ngakala, the director general of the Central Hospital and University (CHU) in Brazzaville, deploring the "extremely expensive" treatment of cancer in his country.

    Malanda, also a cancerologist of CHU, urged patients to have a medical chech-up as early as possible, saying many have been found in the third or fourth stage of the disease at diagnosis, a situation where treatment is difficult.

    Organized by the International Committee for the Renaissance of Africa, the Days of Cancerology program will provide free medical check-ups and inaugurate the service of cobalt bomb as a radio therapy in CHU.