The Chief Executive Officer of Kano Cancer Treatment Centre (KCTC), Dr. Nafisa Abdu, has urged Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention for suspicious lumps, unexplained swelling and prolonged bone pain.
She said early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving outcomes and survival rates for patients with sarcoma and other forms of cancer.
Sarcoma is a rare and diverse group of cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves.
Abdu made the appeal on Thursday in a statement marking Sarcoma Awareness Month, observed every July. She emphasised that early detection and prompt diagnosis are critical to reducing the impact of sarcoma nationwide.
She described sarcoma as a rare but serious cancer affecting bones and soft connective tissues, including muscles, fat, blood vessels, tendons and cartilage, with both children and adults vulnerable.
According to her, sarcomas are often difficult to distinguish from other cancers, particularly when they occur in internal organs, making their true incidence likely underestimated and complicating diagnosis efforts.
The KCTC chief executive identified delayed diagnosis as a major challenge, noting that symptoms are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions, resulting in missed opportunities for timely intervention.
She emphasised that early detection remains the most effective way to improve treatment outcomes and survival rates, urging greater awareness of symptoms associated with the disease nationwide.
Abdu urged healthcare professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with persistent lumps, unexplained swelling or prolonged bone pain requiring further medical evaluation.
She added that timely referral and accurate diagnosis are critical to successful treatment, while effective sarcoma management requires coordinated input from multiple specialists across healthcare disciplines.
According to her, the multidisciplinary team should include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncology nurses, physiotherapists and other professionals involved in patient care.
Abdu said Sarcoma Awareness Month served as a reminder that “no cancer should be forgotten”, calling for stronger collaboration to promote early diagnosis and improve access to quality care.
She urged individuals experiencing persistent lumps, unexplained swelling or prolonged bone pain to seek immediate medical attention rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Abdu reaffirmed KCTC’s commitment to providing patient-centred cancer care through advanced diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and multidisciplinary expertise aimed at improving survival rates and quality of life.
