Experts Proffer Preventive Options to Tame Growing Rate of Cancer
Medical experts, including a leading Cancer Epidemiologist and Surgical Oncologist, Professor Chukwumere Nwogu, have called for the adoption of preventive measures to address growing cases and mortality resulting from cancer in Nigeria.
The medical experts made this clarion call at the 2019 annual oncology conference at the Lagos-based Lakeshore Cancer Centre in Victoria Island Lagos on the theme, “Improving Cancer Outcomes in Nigeria”.
For the experts, early detention, lifestyle changes, and concerted efforts of government and private players could reduce the spread of the disease even further.
Though the experts noted that available cancer statistic for Nigeria was under-estimated since the registration in Nigeria is markedly incomplete, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) research in 2018 showed that about 115,950 new cancer cases, 70,327 cancer deaths and 211,052 prevalent cases (five-year) were recorded in the period under review.
“18 million cases are recorded annually with about 1 million deaths. Cancer is a great problem all over the world. Hence, we need a lot of work on it,” Nwogu said.
Nwogu who doubles as the CEO, Lakeshore Cancer Centre, maintained that there was need to pay more attention to some practices including varieties of meal with pertinent attention to vegetable.
“Vegetable should be part of our food. We should start inculcating that at home and at restaurants,” he recommended.
“How can one person alone consume a full bottle of wine? I’m not saying you should not drink. However, moderation is key when consuming alcohol or wine. The more the intake of alcohol, the higher the risk,” the oncologist said.
Nwogu further listed modifiable risk factors to include obesity, exercise, alcohol, breastfeeding and hormone replacement therapy.
According to him, one of three cases of cancers is preventable, “potentially curable and can be palliated effectively. There is need for increase cancer awareness, improved knowledge and capacity while plans should be evidence-based, priority driven and resource-appropriate”.
Nwogu also made case for training and education, adding that connectivity remained crucial as well as access to care.
Meanwhile, the experts decried cases of breast cancer, adding that among the solutions to avoiding especially breast cancer and remaining healthy are control of alcohol intake, adequate breastfeeding and consumption of vegetables as part of daily meals.
In a joint research on Oncology Emergencies, a Consutlant Medical Oncologist, Dr Okezie Ofor and Consultant Medical Oncologist, Nottingham University Hospitals, Dr ‘Azeez Salawu said it is important to have adequate support systems in place for patients on systemic anticancer treatments.
They noted, however, that many oncology emergencies are reversible or at least have reversible symptoms while stressing that early recognition remained critical and multidisciplinary working is key to improving outcomes in cancer.