The present paper summarizes the findings of the preliminary studies carried out in the uranium and thorium bearing regions of Cameroon. It also underlines future prospects for extensive measurements of natural radioactivity for a better radiation dose assessment to the public. After soil and foodstuff sampling, α- and γ- spectrometry were used to determine activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in these samples. Electret Ionization Chambers (EPERM) were deployed in Poli and Lolodorf to measure radon in houses. 20% of dwellings in Poli and 50% in Lolodorf have radon concentrations higher than 300 Bq m^-3. Passive integrated radon thoron discriminative detectors (RADUET) were used only in the high natural radiation areas of Lolodorf to measure simultaneously indoor radon and thoron. 30% of houses have thoron concentrations above 300 Bq m^-3. Effective dose to the public and annual excess risk for radon-induced lung cancer of each of the studied regions are higher than the world average values. Difference is mainly attributed to indoor radon exposure. Taking into account of the limited number of analyzed samples and surveyed dwellings, some conclusions should cautiously be considered.