Prof. Bissallah Ekele, Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), has called on Nigerians to observe regular screening for cancer-related symptoms for early detection, prevention and treatment.
Ekele said in Gwagwalada, during the Foundation laying ceremony of the Paediatrics Oncology Ward by the First Ladies Against Cancer in Nigeria.
According to him, Cancer deaths in Nigeria are very high, and is estimated that four out of five cancer patients die within five years of being diagnosed due to late presentation.
He said late presentation of most cancer cases in the hospitals has been the major challenge in the treatment and management of the disease in the country.
“Cancer is a big challenge, the world over and most of the patients that have it come in very late for the treatment and you see them in pains both financially and emotionally.
“Whenever we have any group of individuals coming in to support them as the First ladies have done, we feel very excited and we look forward to having more interface with such organisations.
“Early detection is one of the strategies in cancer management since it is difficult to treat when they are advanced, one of the strategies is to ensure that strategies are initiated for prevention,” he said.
The professor added that the inability of cancer patients to afford treatment was the number one reason while many Nigerians who detect cancer die of the ailment.
The medical director advised Nigerians to always seek relevant health information as that was paramount in having a healthy lifestyle, adding that the burden of cancer could be reduced with early detection and access to treatment.
The professor also decried what he called “poor interest in voluntary health check-up’’ by many Nigerians which has led to health challenges and deaths of many people.
“People should avail themselves regularly to health facilities for screening and do preventive test because that will go a long way in reducing the cost of management.
“So get close to your health facilities, your doctor, physician, nurse and then follow the guidelines that are available for preventing most of cancer cases,” he said.
