World Cancer Day is observed every 4th of February, as a catalyst to enhance awareness and understanding, while also advocating proactive measures to prevent, detect and treat the disease.
The theme of this year’s celebration “United by Unique,” defines the crucial role of personalized, patient-centered care in the fight against cancer and highlights the importance of adapting cancer treatments to cater to the unique needs of each individual.
Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably.
It is one of the leading causes of death as the uncontrolled cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including the organs.
Report from the World Health Organisation, WHO, says globally, there are estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022 which will reach 35 million by 2050.
While figures from the National Cancer Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment show that about 124,815 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer yearly, but due to lack of adequate care and affordability, at least 78,899 die every year.
Caregivers estimated that an individual may require between N10 million and N30 million to achieve a cure, which is defined as up to five years of good quality of life post-treatment, however, not many are able to afford that luxury in the country.
To this end, the Federal Government in July 2023 established the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, NICRAT, to combat cancer and advance oncology.
The Director General of NICRAT, Professor Usman Aliyu explained that the federal government had established the Cancer Health Fund which involves six cancer centers across the country to assist indigent cancer patients with treatment costs.
“We have what we call centers of excellence for cancer, one for each Senate zones, the North-Central is the National Hospital in Abuja. If you go to North-East, it is in Gombe. In the Northwest, it is ABUTH Zaria. South-West is UCH Ibadah, if you go to South-South, it is UBTH Benin, while in South-East it’s UNTH, Enugu.”
Professor Aliyu further mentioned that the fund currently on the pilot phase, caters to breast, cervical, and prostate cancer with 450 new cancer patients enrolled into the programme.
Professor Aliyu also said efforts by the federal government were on to train over 3,000 oncologists and improve access to diagnostic tools as well as increase funding and establish more screening sites.
Health Experts have said over 40 per cent of cancers could be prevented including those triggered by viruses such as cervical cancer, largely caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV), some types of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B and C, and another 40 per cent could be cured from early detection.
Dr. Nandi Ishaya from the Department of Prevention and Control, NICRAT, said many cancer patients in the country could have survived but they often present late to the hospital for treatment.
Dr. Ishaya highlighted the different methods of treatment when detected early.
“There’s some that you just treat that particular lesion, you can burn it and that’s all. There’s some that you can take out the uterus with the cervix because that’s where the problem is.
Then when it’s late, you can do much. There’s chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for some cancers.”
A Stage 4 Cancer Survivor, Ms. Chioma Ikejiani who narrated her ordeal, lauded the federal government for creating the Cancer Health Fund which had assisted in her the treatment.
“when I was diagnosed, I was in shock and I survived. I was in stage four and I was able to beat this and I have been on remission since then. One of the best programs that the federal government has, is the Cancer Health Fund. I am a beneficiary and it has greatly helped me. So if you have breast cancer, prostrate and cervical cancer, know that there is a health program and it does work.”
Ms. Ikejiani advised cancer patients to live healthier lives, remain focused and positive.