News / Albinos in Africa

Life is harsh for millions of Africans who are albinos. Throughout their lives they suffer prejudice, ridicule, social exclusion and isolation. Very few find a place in school. Very few find work. Very few find a place in society or marriage.

Superstition surrounds their yellow hair, white skin and pink eyes. In the Shona language albinos are termed “sope” meaning something magical inhabited by powerful evil spirits. In the past new-born albino babies were sometimes killed at birth and this practice still continues in some rural areas.

Recently there has been a rise in incidence of rape of albino females fuelled by the myth that sex with an albino will cure an HIV infected male.

Over and above these tribulations, however, is their greatest enemy - the African sun. Its ultra-violet, cancer-causing radiation finds no barrier to penetration as the skin of the albinos lacks the protective pigment called melanin.

Albinos are one of the the most vulnerable groups in the world to suffer skin cancer which is their biggest killer. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Even so, if it is diagnosed while it is still thin and limited to the outermost skin layer there is a good chance it can be cured. Once the cancer develops it metastatizes (spreads to other parts of the body), is difficult to treat and is deadly. Unfortunately, it is usually at this stage that its victims seek treatment.

Hope for the Future?

In many African countries albinos and their supporters are now demanding a greater part in their society and are helping to raise awareness that albinism is not a curse but a medical condition that can be managed.

The priority is education:

• to help remove the myths and social stigma that surrounds albinos and their condition
• on how best to look after albino children particularly sheltering them from the direct rays of the sun
• in recognising the signs of occurrence and development of skin cancer