• Killing more than 78,899 Nigerians, infecting 125,000 new people every year
• Breast, prostate, cervical 50% of cancer cases
• 40% of cancer can be treated, it can be prevented when it is detected early
• Only four radiotherapy machines for a population of 200m
• Experts recommend regular exercise, screening, vaccination against liver, cervical cancer
• Urge FG to make vaccines free, equip more centers, support awareness creation initiatives
• WHO launches new road map on breast cancer
Cancer kills no fewer than 78,000 Nigerians and infects 125,000 new people every year with breast, prostate, cervical and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma accounting for half of all cancer cases, a new report has shown.
Also, there are more cancer-related deaths in Nigeria compared to other countries. For example, the cervical cancer mortality ratio is about 51 percent compared to less than 20 percent in North America.
Medical experts, who spoke to The Guardian, at the weekend, decried the high cost of cancer treatment in Nigeria, saying that cancer treatment should be affordable and accessible in a country where there is no medical treatment for most individuals and insurance coverage is less than five percent of the population. .
According to them, the cost of radiotherapy is about N1 million per treatment cycle, while the average cost of curing cancer completely for an individual is about N20 million.
Today, Nigeria has four functional radiotherapy machines serving over 200 million people in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which is a testament to the low investment in cancer treatment.
Medical experts include: Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Oliver Ezechi; former Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole; oncologist and radiologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye; Global health consultant/Chief Technical Advisor E4HDI, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe and former Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet, “cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.
“The most common cancers are breast cancer, lung cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and prostate cancer. About a third of people who die from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, lack of fruits and vegetables and lack of physical activity.
“Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30 percent of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries. Many cancers are curable if detected early and treated effectively.
WHO also released a new Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework, providing a road map to reach the target of saving 2.5 million lives from breast cancer by 2040. The new framework recommends countries to implement the three pillars of health promotion for early detection, accurate diagnosis timing and comprehensive management of breast cancer.
Ezechi told The Guardian that the rise in cancer in Nigeria is part of a larger epidemiological transition where the burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases—currently limited to developing countries—is now increasing in developing countries.
Ezechi said Nigeria is burdened with cancer caused by infectious diseases in addition to the accumulated risk associated with the adoption of western diet, tobacco use, alcohol intake, lack of exercise from a sedentary lifestyle and pollution from hydrocarbons and industrial waste.
He said, in addition, the increase in cancer cases may be due to the increase in detection and reporting rates. Is there a cure for cancer? Ezechi said it depends on the type and stage of the cancer, the type of treatment received, among other factors. He said that some, like cervical cancer can be cured if detected early, some others are not yet curable, but can be managed to improve the quality of life of patients.
“Each cancer must be treated differently. There is no cure for all cancers,” he said. What Nigerians can do to prevent the development of cancer, Ezechi said increasing access to preventive services can help prevent the risk of cancer. He said more than half of the cancers that occur in Nigeria could be prevented by using available knowledge on lifestyle changes, improving treatment options and preventive services.
For Adewole, there is a global rise, especially, in Africa and Nigeria cannot be an exception. Adewole, who is also a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and President of the African Organization for Cancer Research and Training, said cancer is an aging disease and is affected by lifestyle and environmental changes.
Adewole said the high fatality rate in Nigeria is linked to lack of awareness, poor health seeking behaviour, resulting in delayed presentation, as most cases come at an advanced stage. He added that there are only two centers in public hospitals in Nigeria that are equipped to manage cancer.
The former Health Minister said there are about 12,000 new cases a year and about 8,000 deaths. “Yes, 40 percent can be treated, especially, when it’s early, while 40 percent can be prevented through lifestyle modification,” he said.
Medical doctors say exercise, regular examination or screening, liver and cervical cancer vaccinations are recommended. The doctor urged the Federal Government to make vaccines free, equip more centers and support education and awareness initiatives.
Okoye noted that cancer remains at the top of the list of diseases that reduce the well-being and well-being of people around the world, especially in developing countries.
“About 70 percent of cancer deaths occur in developing countries like Nigeria due to lack of access to optimal treatment. Nigeria is currently estimated to have 233,911 cancer cases, with 124,815 new cases and 78,899 cancer deaths, every year,” he said.
Okoye said tobacco use is the most important cancer risk factor responsible for about 22 percent of cancer deaths. He said other important lifestyle risk factors include alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity and air pollution.
Ezeigwe said: “The rising incidence of cancer in Nigeria is a result of the demographic transition and increasing risk factors that can cause it. As a non-communicable disease, no single cause has been established for most cancers. However, cancer is the result of an interaction of various risk factors.
“The worsening level of air pollution caused by generator smoke due to lack of power is particularly worrying, because even the most intelligent citizens cannot protect themselves from this threat. Government and socio-economic policies shape these factors and it is important that every citizen considers this when we will enter the general election.
Adeyanju said there is need for adequate regulation, higher taxes on tobacco and liquor, as well as better awareness.
“Every year, cancer claims 72,000, with approximately 250,000 new cases. According to the WHO, cancer is responsible for more than 78,800 deaths in 2020 and 44,699 in 2021 with women often affected by breast and cervical cancer. It is estimated that approximately 28.4 million cases new global cancers will occur by 2040, a 47 percent increase from 2020.
“Nigeria has a higher cancer mortality rate than most other countries. While 19 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States result in death, the ratio is 51 percent in Nigeria. This is due to late diagnosis, limited treatment options and poor treatment outcomes.