9th December, 2023
Nigeria records more than 120,000 new cases of cancer every year. This disclosure was made by the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof Usman Aliyu.
Aliyu who was speaking on Saturday , through his representative, Hassan Zaggi at the seventh annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, holding in Nasarawa, said, in 2020, an estimated 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer-related complications. According to him, 44,699 out the number were females while 34,200 were males.
“Statistics indicate that in 2020, an estimated 78,000 people died as a result of cancer-related complications. Out of this number, 44,699 were females while 34,200 were males. It is estimated that there are over 120,000 new cancer cases every year in Nigeria.
“With these gory statistics, NICRAT is determined to work with all relevant stakeholders to disrupt cancer in Nigeria through intense awareness creation and improved access to treatment and research.
“We have mapped out strategies to geometrically increase cancer experts in the country through training and retraining of all categories of health professionals. In our commitment and preparedness to disrupt all forms of cancers and ensure those with the illness have access to the best care and support in the country, we recently launched three strategic documents.
“The three documents include the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027; the National Cancer Research Agenda 2024-2027; and the National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of Uterine Cervix 2023-2027,” said Aliyu at this event organised in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.
Speaking further, Aliyu called on Nigerians to pay more attention to their health.
“It is important to also call on Nigerians to give close attention to their health by visiting the nearest health facility for regular checks.
“Most importantly, they should go for examination whenever they have any abnormal feeling in their bodies. This will present the opportunity to nip any form of illness, including all forms of cancers in the bud to prevent it from escalating,” he said.