By Azoma Chikwe
Contrary to widespread belief that cancer has no cure, the disease is curable. Health Minister Prof Isaac Adewole says.
He, however, noted that the disease must be detected early and treated. The Minister spoke at a symposium held by his ministry themed: ‘Cancer in Nigeria symposium’ at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos.
He said his ministry is strategising in a pragmatic way to address the rising rate of cancer in Nigeria and the ministry will embark on aggressive behavioral change campaign. According to him, 30 to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable but due to most Nigerians’ attitude of “I reject it, not my portion, which ultimately leads to late reporting to hospitals is the reason most people are dying from the otherwise preventable and curable disease.”
He disclosed there are six types of cancers that are so common in Nigeria, these are –breast and cervical cancers among women, prostate and colon cancers among men, while liver, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) are commoner in both males and females. “out of the many corpses that are being brought back to the country, over 50 per cent died from cancer. Many more Nigerians are developing cancers because of change in diet and lifestyle. That is why we are canvassing against tobacco and tobacco smoking, either as a primary smoker or secondary, the results are the same.
“I will encourage Nigerians to go back to the consumption of staple food and holistic lifestyle devoid of things that promote cancer. There is no organ of the body or any part of the body cancer cannot affect except the teeth. It is good we all consume natural food, live an active life, avoiding smoking and smokes. That way, we at least can avoid generic cancers, while hereditary can be worked on,” said Prof Adewole.
Adewole said all efforts will be embarked on to find cure for cancer, “ local preparations are welcomed. If anybody have local herbal plants or solutions, let them come forward with it. I can assure that in the next 12 months, cancer narrative will change in Nigeria.”
Prof. Chris Bode, Chief Medical Director (CMD), LUTH, said quality of cancer care in the subregion has waxed and waned with the harsh economic and political fortunes of the subregion.”It is hoped that the communique from the symposium will inform and enrich our Government’s policy on this scourge, “he said.