Nigeria Faces Cancer Emergency: 127,000 New Cases Annually Amidst Alarming Mortality Rates
Nigeria is indeed facing a deepening cancer emergency, with alarming statistics revealing a significant and growing burden on the nation's healthcare system and its citizens. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, recently highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that Nigeria records approximately 127,000 new cancer cases annually, leading to about 80,000 deaths each year.
This crisis is compounded by several factors, making it a critical public health concern:
The Scale of the Problem:
High Incidence and Mortality: The figure of 127,000 new cases and 80,000 deaths annually underscores a high incidence-to-mortality ratio, suggesting that a large percentage of cases are diagnosed at late stages when treatment options are limited and outcomes are poor. This is a critical indicator of a struggling cancer care ecosystem.
Leading Cause of Death: Cancer is identified as one of the fastest-growing components of Nigeria's overall disease burden and a leading cause of mortality. Globally, cancer accounts for approximately 10 million deaths annually, and Nigeria's contribution to this figure is substantial.
Prevalence of Late Presentation: Experts, including Dr. Adamu Umar, Chairman of the Oncology and Cancer Care Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association, indicate that over 70% of cancer patients in Nigeria present at late stages. This significantly reduces their chances of survival, even with available treatments.
Common Cancers: The most prevalent cancers in Nigeria include breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer. Breast cancer is now reportedly the leading cause of cancer death in Nigeria.
Factors Contributing to the Cancer Emergency:
Poor Awareness and Stigma: There's a significant lack of public awareness about cancer symptoms, prevention, and the benefits of early detection. Stigma associated with the disease also contributes to delayed presentation.
Inadequate Screening and Diagnostic Facilities: Limited access to screening centers and advanced diagnostic equipment means that many cases go undetected until they reach advanced stages. While new centers are being commissioned, the existing infrastructure has been insufficient.
High Cost of Treatment: Cancer treatment is prohibitively expensive for most Nigerians, with the majority paying out-of-pocket. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has historically offered limited coverage for cancer care, forcing families into severe financial distress or abandonment of treatment.
Shortage of Human Resources: Nigeria faces a severe shortage of trained oncology specialists, including oncologists, radiotherapists, medical physicists, and oncology nurses. This human resource deficit impacts the quality and accessibility of care.
Lack of Cancer Registries: The absence of comprehensive and functional cancer registries across the country, particularly in the northern regions, makes it difficult to accurately track incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates, hindering effective health planning.
Rising Risk Factors: Changing lifestyles, including increased consumption of processed foods, sedentary habits, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to environmental pollution, are contributing to the rise in cancer cases. Infectious causes like Hepatitis B and C (linked to liver cancer) and HPV (cervical cancer) are also significant.
Limited Access to Advanced Therapies: Access to advanced cancer therapies like targeted therapies and immunotherapies is limited, and where available, their cost restricts options for many patients.
Government Initiatives and Challenges:
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda," acknowledges the crisis and is taking steps:
Investment in Oncology Centers: As mentioned previously, the commissioning of new Clinical Oncology Cancer Centers, such as those in Katsina, Benin, and Enugu, marks a significant investment. These centers are equipped with modern radiotherapy machines and diagnostic tools. The plan is to establish ten such centers across the country's six geopolitical zones.
Catastrophic Health Fund: The allocation of N20 billion in the 2025 federal budget for a Catastrophic Health Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) aims to provide financial relief for patients suffering from expensive illnesses like cancer.
National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP): Established in 2006, the NCCP focuses on public education, prevention, early diagnosis, effective therapy, and palliative care. Initiatives like the Cancer Access Partnership (CAP) Programme aim to improve the availability of essential anti-cancer medicines.
National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT): Established by an Act in 2017, NICRAT is mandated to provide national leadership in cancer research, treatment, and control, including establishing and maintaining cancer registries.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the cancer emergency requires sustained commitment, massive funding, and comprehensive strategies to overcome the deeply entrenched challenges in awareness, early detection, affordability, and access to quality treatment.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
