By Joy Egwu
As the Nigeria joined the rest of the world yesterday to mark the World Cancer Day, a non-governmental organization known as the The Hassy’s Haven Foundation has observed that cancer has become a significant health concern in Nigeria, affecting 28% of the population directly or through their family members.
In a statement issued by the Founder of the Foundation, Hassana Muhammad Yakubu, they stated that the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment disclosed that Nigeria recorded over 120,000 new cases of cancer annually.
‘In 2020, an estimated 78,000 Nigerians succumbed to cancer-related complications, with 44,699 females and 34,200 males affected. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for action.”
According to the group, “one major challenge we face is the inadequate cancer treatment equipment in Nigeria, especially in the Northwest region, lacking any radiotherapy machines.”
“The situation forces patients to travel long distances, incurring substantial costs for transportation, accommodation, and feeding.Modern technologies like Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) are out of reach for many due to their capital-intensive nature.”
They called for policies that address these challenges, advocating for the inclusion of cancer treatment in the Nigerian National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to alleviate the burden on patients and their families.
“The foundation emphasizes the importance of regular health check-ups to detect abnormalities early.We urge all Nigerians to prioritize their health and seek medical attention promptly, as early intervention can significantly impact the outcome of cancer-related diseases.”
“Together, with the support of stakeholders, we aspire to make strides in the fight against cancer and create a healthier future for all Nigerians,” the statement added
On its own part, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released troubling statistics about the disease.
WHO, in a statement, said the number of new cancer cases globally will reach 35 million by 2050, seventy seven per cent higher than the figure in 2022, noting that there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022.
This year, the theme for the annual global anniversary of World Cancer Day, which is marked every 4th of February, is: “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care.” It is a part of a three-year-long campaign that commenced in 2022 and now to end in 2024.
The new disease estimates, WHO said, were based on a survey conducted by its cancer arm – the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – linking the development to certain factors.
“The rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both population ageing and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, several of which are associated with socioeconomic development. Tobacco, alcohol, and obesity are key factors behind the increasing incidence of cancer, with air pollution still a key driver of environmental risk factors,” the research findings show.
WHO said it is working round the clock in partnership with governmental and non-governmental institutions, particularly to tackle the inequalities surrounding access to care.
WHO said it also published survey results from 115 countries, showing a majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services, as part of universal health coverage (UHC).
“The estimated number of people who were alive within five years following a cancer diagnosis was 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 diseases, ” it noted.
The IARC’s global cancer observatory covering 185 countries and 36 types of cancer, shows that 10 types of cancer accounted for about two-thirds of new cases and deaths globally in 2022.
According to the data, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for 12.4 per cent of new cases and 18.7 per cent of deaths, followed by female breast cancer accounting for 11.6 per cent of cases and seven per cent of deaths.
Other major causes of death according to the research include bowel liver and stomach cancer.
Despite being entirely preventable, cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer globally and the ninth biggest cause of cancer death, accounting for 661,044 new cases and 348,186 deaths. “It is the most common cancer in women in 25 countries, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.”
“WHO’s new global survey shed light on major inequalities and lack of financial protection for cancer around the world, with population, especially in lower-income countries, unable to access the basics of cancer care, ” the WHO’s Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Disease, Bente Mikkelson, was quoted to have said.