Oncologist calls for teamwork in fight against cancer

Prof. Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, a Clinical Radiation Oncologist, has said that the fight against cancer requires teamwork.

He said this during the 2nd Lagos University Teaching Hospital International Scientific Workshop and Conference, that all medical hands must be on deck to treat, manage and reduce cancer cases in the country.

The theme of the conference, Advances in Cancer Management in 21st Century, is aimed at sensitising medical practitioners that cancer disease is on the rise all over the world.

Durosinmi-Etti said, “Medical practitioners need to know that when they join hands with colleagues in other areas, patients will benefit more.

“The disease could be handled better and cured if detected early, but those that could not be cured could be managed effectively. So that a patient could have longer and quality life.”

He emphasised that the message from the conference was team effort and not one man business. He advised medical practitioners to use the latest research available and work as a team.

Prof. Olayiwola Giwa, an Orthopedic Surgeon, said that Multi Disciplinary Care in cancer management was one of the advances in the management of the disease in the 21st century.

Giwa said, multi disciplinary care had been known to provide better care and improved prognosis, a situation whereby predictions could be made on the likely or expected development of a disease, including whether the signs and symptoms would improve or worsen or remain stable over time.

The surgeon said, what was being advocated now was teamwork, whereby a general practitioner sees a patient with cancer and refers the patient to a specialist and the specialists work as a team.

The LUTH Chief Medical Director, Chris Bode, said Nigeria had the best cancer care in West Africa and even sub-Saharan Africa.

He added that LUTH was not just blowing its trumpet but informing the public that they don’t have to go abroad and spend thousands of dollars for what was obtainable at cheaper prices at home.

He said that in LUTH, patients were being treated by their own compatriots who were enthusiastic about using the most modern technological equipment.

Temitope/NAN