Victor EzejaWith the growing cases of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria such as cancer, a medical expert has called for awareness campaigns about adopting preventive measures to curb the scourge.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), about 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths were recorded in 2022, while the number of people who were alive within five years following a cancer diagnosis was estimated to be 53.5 million. About one in five people develop cancer in their lifetime, approximately one in nine men and one in 12 women die from the disease, the IARC estimates also indicated. This highlights the growing global burden of cancer.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFor Nigeria, the WHO’s cancer agency’s data revealed that in 2022, there were 127, 763 new cases, and 79, 542 deaths while top three leading cancers were Breast, Prostate and Cervical cancers.
Dr Ifeanyi Ugo Godwin, a Medical Director at Healing Stripes Hospital, Lagos, stated that with the increasing rate of cancer cases in the country, it has become imperative for people to adopt preventive measures to curb the spread.
He made the call while speaking at Prime Business Africa’s Health and Business Series 3 on Sunday, 28th July 2024.
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Dr Godwin, who is also a Public Health Consultant, said Nigeria does not have an efficient healthcare system, underscoring the need for people to practice preventive care, especially for debilitating sicknesses like cancer and diabetes.
While reflecting on his experiences with patients as a medical practitioner, Dr Godwin pointed out that many people in the country are not aware of what cancer is all about and what they need to do, hence the need for massive awareness about the disease and advocacy on preventive care as primary step to curb the prevalence.
He said preventive care entails knowing healthy foods to eat, certain activities to avoid and going for cancer screening and other medical checks for early detection and prompt treatment if it arises. He emphasised that people do not have to wait for signs or symptoms before going for health checks.
“I think the preventive care is better. Cancer treatment is very expensive. We need to shift our attention towards looking at cancer prevention. In the developed world, everybody goes for screening. So, that can even reduce stigmatisation, and it is compulsory.”
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“We need to advocate preventive care, when people have to go for screening, you don’t wait for symptoms to come. In abroad, they are looking for the cancer, but here, we are waiting for the cancer to show signs. That’s a dangerous trend,” he stated.
He said preventive care is not just for adults but also children by among other things, “trying to control what they eat.”
He said advanced countries have already started practising preventive care to reduce the cases.
Speaking further on lack of awareness, the medical expert said the number of reported cases in Nigeria may not reflect the real figure as many don’t get to hospital and even when diagnosed, some resort to use of herbal concoctions which worsen their condition, leading to death.
Engr Dozie Akwarandu, a stage-three colorectal cancer survivor and founder of Nest of Hope Cancer Advocacy & Support Community, said after his experience with the disease, he saw the need to set up a platform to create awareness about cancer.
Akwarandu also stated that in the cause of his advocacy, he realised that many people in the country are unaware that cancer is treatable and there are survivors, fuelling his resolve to intensify the awareness creation as a key to prevention.
“I decided that we need to increase awareness about cancer; people need to be aware, and for me, that’s also part of prevention,” he said.
Mr Akwarnadu also highlighted the need to mentor people who are diagnosed with cancer to know that it is something one can survive so they seek better care.
”A lot of people who are dying of one stomach problem or the other do not know that there is something that is called colorectal cancer or stomach cancer.”
Dr Denise Ejoh, Chief Executive Officer of Cormode Cancer Foundation, said if people knew about what they needed to do, as preventive measure, cases of cancer would reduce and also the treatment costs, echoing the need for robust advocacy about the health challenge.
The cancer care advocate and survivor of metastatic breast cancer, called on the government to mobilise organisations and resource persons that can conduct grassroots advocacy about cancer prevention and survival.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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