Health Expert advocates increased Cancer awareness and early diagnosis in Nigeria

A health expert in Nigeria has called for adequate funding to improve healthcare services as the world marks World Cancer Day.

President of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), Dr. Adamu Alhassan, says early diagnosis would help in reducing cancer related deaths and other illnesses in the country.

He said that there is need to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians by increasing the level of awareness on cancer particularly to people in the rural areas.

“This is the major reason all stakeholders in the Nigerian cancer Society (NCS) are bringing in new energy and virgo, because sincerely speaking, you discover that the radio TV jingles, newspaper publications end up in the hands of the few who are literally in the capital cities, but we in the Nigerian Cancer Society are advocating for more inclusiveness whenever it comes to advocacy and awareness creation.

”Cancer is a preventable disease and it is a disease that is actually preventable. You know, there is the saying that preventive medicine is better than curative medicine and this is the major reason awareness should be the key priority of every individual and it is actually our priority in the Nigerian Cancer society to raise the awareness and that is what we are doing. We are not going to relent on that as we continue to push until we ensure that we have significantly reached across to those that really matter,’‘ Dr. Alhasan said.

He stated that most cancer patients’ go late to hospitals and it boils down to unawareness.

“When you say late diagnosis, it is usually not late diagnosis on the part of those diagnosing cancer but rather in terms of presentation by patients. You know, there are these general myths especially in the rural areas that cancer is like a taboo, they will tell you that if you go to the hospital and get diagnosed of cancer, you will be given injection which will lead to death. And that is a very serious myth and misconception by the public and that is what usually attributes to late presentation at the hospital. And if you don’t come early, you know how cancer cells behave and how easily they spread to other organs. That is usually the major reason.

”In terms of the diagnostic tools, you may be right if you say we are still not where we are supposed to be as a country and that is the reason there is serious need for government involvement in ensuring that the diagnostic tools are in place and accessibility is also is also very important because it’s not just for you to come and keep them at the hospitals in the state capitals or Abuja. And then those in the rural areas cannot access where to have the basic diagnosis that can detect cancer early,’‘ he explained.

Dr. Alhassan noted that the Pap smear should be easily accessible anywhere anytime and that it should be free in all our hospitals so that any willing woman can walk into any facility and have the test done.

He added that improvement in the number of cancer patients being managed or cured depends largely on the commitment of the government.

World Cancer Day is marked on February 4.

The theme for World Cancer Day 2021 is ‘I Am and I Will.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. This year is a reminder of the enduring power of cooperation and collective action.

Mercy Chukwudiebere