Abuja, Jan. 22, 2025 (NAN) – Nigeria continues to grapple with a rising cancer burden, with over 120,000 new cases recorded annually, according to the Global Cancer Observatory. In 2022 alone, the country reported 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 cancer-related deaths, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action.
This concern was the focus on Wednesday at the kickoff of the Leadership Programme for Women in Oncology (LPWO), held in Abuja. The initiative, spearheaded by the City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), aims to address Nigeria’s challenges in cancer care, including funding, gender equity, and access to diagnosis and treatment.
Global and Local Partnerships for Improved Care
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ladi Hameed, Country General Manager of Roche, a global healthcare leader, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing cancer care in Nigeria.
“Roche’s presence in over 80 countries enables us to bring global insights and resources to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment locally. We are focused on building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem through partnerships with Nigerian stakeholders,” Hameed said.
The company has worked to enhance capacity building, healthcare provider training, and access to life-saving diagnostic tools, particularly for breast cancer, which accounted for 32,278 cases in Nigeria in 2022, making it the most common type of cancer.
Funding Sustainability and Equity
Prof. Musa Ali-Gombe, Director of Clinical Services at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICaRt), highlighted the need for sustainable funding mechanisms.
“The short-term solution relies on government appropriations, but we’re also seeking philanthropic support from local and international organizations. Our medium-term plan includes a tiered model where wealthier individuals subsidize care for others. Ultimately, we aim for universal health coverage to make cancer care accessible for all Nigerians,” Ali-Gombe stated.
He also emphasized gender equity, noting that women disproportionately bear the cancer burden, with cervical cancer being a leading cause of death. NICaRt has launched several initiatives, including mobile clinics in underserved areas, providing free screenings and preventive services for women.
Promoting Women’s Leadership in Oncology
Dr. Meritxell Mallatre-Larross, C/Can Research Lead, announced the implementation of a seven-year gender strategy starting in 2025.
“This strategy, informed by research from the Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and Cancer, aims to bridge leadership gaps in oncology for women. The Leadership Programme for Women in Oncology will adopt a trainer-to-trainer model to ensure scalability, empowering participants to pass on their knowledge to local communities,” Mallatre-Larross said.
Call for Action
Stakeholders at the event stressed the importance of an integrated approach involving global partnerships, local solutions, and gender-inclusive leadership to combat Nigeria’s rising cancer burden.
As Nigeria records approximately 32,000 breast cancer cases, 18,000 prostate cancer cases, and a significant number of cervical cancer cases annually, such initiatives are seen as vital steps in addressing the growing crisis and ensuring a healthier future for all Nigerians.
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Reporting by Babatunde Akinsola in Lagos, Nigeria.
