On this year’s World Cancer Day, themed ‘United by Unique’, cancer specialists emphasized that a cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.
However, they stressed that overcoming the disease requires early detection, affordable treatment, and collective action to improve healthcare accessibility.
In Lagos, a 10-year cancer survivor and Chairperson of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Tinu Lawal, shared her journey, highlighting how she battled the illness when Nigeria had only one functional radiotherapy machine—which frequently broke down.
“We have come a long way from when cancer treatment was nearly impossible in Nigeria. Survival is not just about treatment; it’s about dignity, hope, and support,” Lawal stated.
She acknowledged progress in cancer care, but access to affordable treatment remains a major challenge. “A single session of radiotherapy now costs nearly N3 million, compared to N200,000 a few years ago. This is beyond the reach of many Nigerians.”
Lawal called on the government to provide financial aid for patients and healthcare workers, particularly in light of the brain drain (Japa syndrome) affecting the medical sector.
Early Detection Saves Lives
One of the major focuses of World Cancer Day was early detection. Lawal stressed that early screening and diagnosis increase survival rates, urging Nigerians to take their health seriously.
“We must embrace regular medical check-ups. Cancer detected early is much easier to treat,” she said.
The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Lagos chapter, under her leadership, is dedicated to raising awareness, fighting stigma, and promoting early detection through community outreach programs and partnerships.
Need for Government Support
Lawal called on the government to implement policies that support cancer patients and medical professionals.
She highlighted the urgent need to retain doctors in Nigeria, warning that even with advanced equipment, a shortage of specialists would cripple the healthcare system.
Speaking on breast cancer, Nigeria’s first female Radiation & Clinical Oncologist, Assoc. Prof. Anthonia Sowunmi, revealed that over 70% of breast cancer cases in Nigeria are diagnosed at advanced stages, reducing survival chances.
Sowunmi noted that many Nigerians delay seeking medical care due to superstitious beliefs that cancer is a curse or the work of enemies.
“Breast cancer is not mystical—it’s a disease that can be treated if caught early,” she emphasized.
She urged women to undergo routine mammograms and clinical breast exams, saying these simple screening methods could save lives.
Expanding Cancer Treatment Access
While awareness is growing, experts say treatment accessibility remains a major challenge.
The Nigerian government has launched initiatives such as the Cancer Access Plan (CAP) and Cancer Control Plan to make care more affordable, but these funds are not easily accessible, especially in Lagos.
“The Cancer Health Foundation should allow patients to access up to $5,000 in funding, but currently, the process is nearly impossible,” Sowunmi noted.
The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) is working to ensure that these funds reach all states and are not limited to select regions.
Childhood Cancer and Religious Beliefs
Pediatric Oncologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Adeseye Akinsete, raised concerns over childhood cancer in Nigeria.
He noted that genetics, not parental actions, play the biggest role in childhood cancer cases.
He listed leukemia, retinoblastoma (eye cancer), and Wilms’ tumor (kidney cancer) as the most common types in Nigerian children.
Unfortunately, late diagnosis remains a major problem, as many parents initially seek alternative treatments before turning to hospitals.
However, he noted that religious leaders are increasingly supporting medical treatment, which is helping to change public perception.
Need for More Cancer Treatment Centers
Founder of the St. Cyril Cancer Treatment Foundation, Mrs. Moji Animashaun, emphasized that cancer care doesn’t end with diagnosis—it must be accessible and effective.
She acknowledged that the opening of more radiotherapy centers across Nigeria has improved treatment availability, particularly in rural areas.
“We are seeing fewer cases of advanced-stage breast cancer, and mortality rates are dropping due to better treatment and early detection,” she said.
As the NCS, Lagos chapter expands, experts expect further improvements in cancer care, awareness, and treatment accessibility across Nigeria.
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