Nigeria Needs More Local Research To Defeat Cancer – Expert

A cancer expert, Dr Emmanuella Nwachukwu, has stressed the need for Nigeria to encourage more research locally in order to defeat cancer.

Nwachukwu, an oncologist, who decried low survival rate in Nigeria, said early detection, diagnosis, screening and treatment were imperative.

She stated this in Abuja at a programme to commemorate World Cancer Day (Every 4th February).

At the event organised by Sambai Patient Advocacy Team in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Cormode Cancer Foundation, Network of People Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria and African Women Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA), experts, advocates, survivors, clinical psychologists, non- governmental organisations and other health stakeholders and advocates brainstormed on how to overcome the cancer menace.

The expert particularly regretted the fact that 80% of patients in Nigeria came down with cancer at the late stage.

While lamenting the cost of treatment, which, according to her, is often on the expensive side, she appealed to professionals not to give up on their patients, saying “together we can rewrite the cancer story.”

She advocated for more specialised centres for cancer.

“This project will help us to identify the best way to manage and connect with cancer patients and black people in particular.

“Going forward, early screening for certain types of cancer, detection is very key. Also, we should be aware that the high cost of treatment associated with cancer and stigma, which often keeps people silent, is needless because the survival rate is low here.

“I am also worried that we do not have enough research locally, but in all, we have to stand up for ourselves, community and country.”

The duo of CEO/Founder Cormode Cancer Foundation, Dr Denise Ejoh and Founder Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Ricki Fairley advocated that more still need to be done by government, NGOs and philanthropists in order to salvage the situation for survivors globally.

Speaking to newsmen, a survivor, Mr Ochai Igba Friday recounted his sojourn in South Africa, India, in search of treatment.

Friday, who lauded Transcorp Hilton for its intervention, added: “As a survivor, God heal me of blood cancer which was diagnosed in 2016, about 10 years ago.

“ Going through al those rigorous stages of treatment was not easy and expensive. But today, I am here, courtesy of Transcorp Hilton, who paid the bills and sponsored my trips. So, i am a survivor and am still here.”