Association expresses concerns over rise in cancer incidences, late presentation
The Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of Nigeria (ARCON) has expressed concern over the rise in cancer incidences and late presentation in the hospital. This is contained in a statement issued by the association’s President, Dr Nwamaka Laosebikan in Abuja.
The incidence and burden of cancer, she said, is rising in Nigeria.
”It is reaching an alarming proportion with huge socioeconomic losses to the nation.
”Statistics from the Global Cancer Observatory shows that four out of every five people with cancer in Nigeria die as a result of the disease,” she said.
She added that the high cost of treatment is also another debilitating factor that many Nigerians grapple with, especially with the low earning capacity of most people.
She also said that care givers and service providers related factors and limited availability of expertise and facilities to provide effective treatment also contribute to the high mortality from the disease.
She, however said that the Ministry of Health had put in place some measures to improve access to care though a lot more needs to be done.
Laosebikan also said that the association would at it’s fifth annual scientific conference in Abuja, discuss innovative solutions to ameliorate the problem and redefine cancer care in Nigeria.
The conference which would begin on Monday would also talk about precision medicine in cancer care, onco-fertility, psych oncology, multi-disciplinary approach in cancer care, nuclear medicine and theranostics.
Laosebikan added that the recent report of the Lancet Oncology Commission on cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa would be inaugurated with recommendations to serve as a guide to identify pertinent challenges within the nation.
This guide is expected to tackle the challenged in order to improve outcomes and change the current narrative.
“This landmark event is expected to stimulate key opinion leaders and stakeholders to make commitments to change and provide actionable points to advance cancer care in Nigeria”, she added.
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