A medical Doctor at the Federal Medical Center Gusau in Zamfara State, Dr.Shehu Umar has highlighted the devastating effects of cancer to the society, saying cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
He said it is the second highest incidence among non- communicable diseases.
Speaking on Friday to mark the 2022 World Cancer Day, Dr Umar said management of cancer disease still remain a big challenge, stressing that its causes are unknown and cure for advanced or metastatic diseases are still elusive.
According to him, early detection and prompt treatment is a topmost priority in cancer care.
“However, in developing countries like Nigeria, over 90% of cancer patients present with advanced diseases due to numerous delays; making majority of care channeled towards palliation and improvement of quality of life rather than cure”.
He disclosed that mortality from cancer in developing countries is high compared to developing countries.
“Many factors contribute to this situation, including poor awareness and knowledge about cancer in the population, lack of effective population based screening, grossly inadequate manpower and facilities for cancer care, financial and geographic accessibility of cancer care, poor coordination of the scarce cancer care resources (manpower and facilities)”.
He said in order to close the care gap from this current state to the desired state, there should be Sustained massive awareness and education campaigns, effective population based screening Strategic training and development of needed healthcare manpower.
According to him, provision of adequate and appropriate facilities for screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, equitable distribution of manpower and facilities across geopolitical zones and states.
“Others include Effective health insurance and community financing for cancer management, improving geographic and financial accessibility to cancer treatment, improving referral systems and other administrative bureaucracies causing diagnosis and treatment delays in cancer patient and Increased advocacy on cancer care to government agencies, NGOs and critical stakeholders.”
