Also known as: Hoofman Hansen
Chief executive of the Cancer Association of Namibia, advocating for patient-centered cancer care and awareness in Namibia.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Rolf Hansen shared figures showing 30 ovarian cancer deaths and 50 new cases in Namibia in 2024
“Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) chief executive Rolf Hansen has shared these figures in the association's statement on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in September annually.”
Ovarian cancer claims 30 Namibians in 2024The Namibian
Rolf Hansen stated cancer is pressing public health priority for Namibia
“"Cancer is no longer a distant or future challenge for Namibia; it is one of our most pressing public health priorities," Hansen says.”
Cancer Apple Project raises record N$4mThe Namibian
Rolf Hansen is chief executive of Cancer Association of Namibia
“Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) chief executive Rolf Hansen says human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer.”
‘I died in that moment’The Namibian
Rolf Hansen stated that HIV, smoking, weakened immune systems and lack of screening increase cervical cancer risk
“Hansen says HIV, smoking, a weakened immune system and a lack of screening can increase the risk of HPV infection and, eventually, cervical cancer.”
‘I died in that moment’The Namibian
CAN chief executive Rolf Hansen notes a significant portion of raised funds will go towards Children Fighting Cancer in Namibia programme
“Hansen notes that a significant portion of the raised funds will go towards the association's Children Fighting Cancer in Namibia programme, which assists young patients and their families.”
Bank hands over N$4 million to association for children with cancerWindhoek Observer
Rolf Hansen said reducing cervical cancer will require stronger collaboration between government, healthcare providers, educators, employers and communities
“Hansen said reducing cervical cancer will require stronger collaboration between government, healthcare providers, educators, employers and communities to improve access to vaccination, screening, early diagnosis and treatment.”
About 98% of cervical cancer cases linked to HPVInformanté
CAN chief executive officer Rolf Hansen said every woman deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life, but cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of many Namibian mothers, daughters, sisters and friends
“CAN chief executive officer Rolf Hansen said every woman deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life, but cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of many Namibian mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.”
Cervical cancer prevention takes centre stage during National Cancer Awareness WeekWindhoek Observer
Rolf Hansen allegedly had consent forged in relation to financial signatory authority
“It is also alleged that the consent of Hoofman Hansen was forged in relation to financial signatory authority.”
Petition seeking removal of ||Khomani chief submittedThe Namibian
Rolf Hansen said decentralising services is central to improving patient outcomes and quality of life
“Hansen said decentralising services is central to improving both patient outcomes and quality of life.”
Erongo cancer patients to receive treatment closer to homeNew Era
Rolf Hansen is Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia
“Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, said the establishment of the Erongo centre marks the beginning of a shift in how end-of-life care is approached in Namibia.”
State-of-the-art Palliative care centre for SwakopmundCancer Association of Namibia chief executive Rolf Hansen says breast cancer patients should be given space to share their experiences, as diagnoses, treatment journeys and outcomes differ between individuals. Hansen noted that factors including cancer type, treatment intensity, cultural, socio-economic, religious circumstances and access to treatment shape each patient's unique journey.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Cancer Association of Namibia chief executive Rolf Hansen says breast cancer patients should be given space to share their experiences, as diagnoses, treatment journeys and outcomes differ between individuals. Hansen noted that factors including cancer type, treatment intensity, cultural, socio-economic, religious circumstances and access to treatment shape each patient's unique journey.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Ovarian cancer killed about 30 women in Namibia in 2024, while 50 new cases were recorded during the same period, according to the Cancer Association of Namibia. Ovarian cancer represented 1.2% of all new cancer cases in Namibia and ranked 16th among all cancers by incidence in the country.
16 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank Windhoek's Cancer Apple Project raised a record N$4 million this year for the Cancer Association of Namibia, bringing total contributions since 2000 to N$42.4 million. The funds will support cancer awareness, screening, outreach and patient support as the 26-year campaign addresses Namibia's rising cancer burden.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Karen Nakawala discovered she had cervical cancer during a screening in 2019, despite feeling healthy, after resisting her gynaecologist friend's advice to get screened for nearly a decade. She began treatment a month after diagnosis and credits early detection with her survival.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank Windhoek's Cancer Apple Project handed over N$4 million to the Cancer Association of Namibia following its 2026 fundraising drive to support children with cancer. The funds will support the association's Children Fighting Cancer in Namibia programme, which assists young patients and their families.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
An estimated 98% of cervical cancer cases in Namibia are linked to persistent HPV infection. The Cancer Association of Namibia calls for greater uptake of HPV vaccination and routine cervical screening, noting that Namibia records about 453 new cervical cancer cases annually—nearly three times the global average—and that cervical cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among Namibian women despite being largely preventable.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Cancer Association of Namibia is using National Cancer Awareness Week (3–7 August) to promote HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening, warning that the disease is the second most common cancer among Namibian women despite being largely preventable. Namibia records about 453 new cervical cancer cases annually, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 37.2 per 100,000 women.
5 August 2026 · Informanté →
A 29-page petition calling for the removal of ||Khomani Traditional Authority chief Julienne Gawanas has been submitted to the urban and rural development minister under the Traditional Authorities Act. The petition, backed by members of the ||Khomani and ǂNūkhoen communities, alleges financial mismanagement including claims that Gawanas cannot account for N$80,000 withdrawn from the Traditional Authority's trust fund and that consent was forged relating to financial signatory authority.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Walvis Bay Oncology Centre opened at Walvis Bay District Hospital, allowing cancer patients in Erongo to receive treatment closer to home rather than travelling to Windhoek. The facility was funded primarily by Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine and is part of efforts to decentralise cancer care services across Namibia.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Cancer Association of Namibia has opened a 10-bed palliative care facility in Swakopmund to serve cancer patients in the Erongo region, providing pain management, wound care and psychosocial support without requiring costly trips to Windhoek. The centre was established with support from donors and corporate partners including Langer Heinrich Uranium mine, which contributed over N$2 million.
26 February 2026 · New Era →
Namibian health officials say the human papillomavirus vaccine, introduced in August 2025 and now part of routine immunisation, is safe and effective at preventing cervical cancer, dismissing misinformation circulating among parents about claims that it causes sterility or targets Africans. Officials note that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in Namibia and can be prevented through vaccination and screening.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Cancer Association of Namibia says geographical distance and financial hardship delay cancer diagnosis and treatment for rural patients, as specialist services remain centralised in Windhoek. The association is opening new oncology and palliative care centres in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to improve access.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Cancer Association of Namibia has admitted its first pro bono patient at House Zietsman care facility in Windhoek, a paediatric oncology case who was previously in the public health system. The organisation said it will consider further admissions of state paediatric oncology patients subject to specialist consultation and bed availability, though free care for adult patients remains financially unviable for now.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →