Health stakeholders have called for greater public awareness to ensure early detection and effective treatment of kidney cancer in Nigeria.
The call was made on Thursday in Abuja during a symposium commemorating the 2025 World Kidney Cancer Day (WKCD).
The event was organised by Move Against Cancer Africa (MACA), a volunteer-driven NGO focused on cancer education and advocacy across the continent.
Experts at the event emphasized that early diagnosis is critical for improved treatment outcomes and survival rates. They noted that kidney cancer, though rare, often presents no symptoms in its early stages, making public awareness of potential signs and regular screening essential.
A Senior Consultant Oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, and Chairperson of the Cancer Committee, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA-FCT), Dr. Uchechukwu Shagaya highlighted the importance of awareness despite the rarity of the disease in Nigeria.
Shagaya listed some symptoms to watch for, including blood in urine, lower back pain, difficulty urinating, and foamy urine.
She warned against self-medication and urged the public to seek professional medical attention promptly.
She also called for more public education and advocacy efforts: “Through advocacy, we can raise awareness and influence policies. Once those policies are in place, it becomes easier to facilitate early diagnosis and access to treatment.”
A Consultant Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Dr. Onwuasoanya Uzodinma stressed the need for targeted public education and policy action.
He pointed out that kidney cancer can mimic other diseases, making it prone to misdiagnosis. Risk factors include hereditary predisposition as well as lifestyle habits such as smoking, radiation exposure, and alcohol consumption.
“Early detection opens the door for surgical treatment and targeted therapy. However, late presentation remains a major challenge in our healthcare system,” he said.
Earlier, a cancer patient advocate and official with MACA, Mr. Isaac Joseph said the symposium was supported by the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC). The event was designed to encourage collaboration among medical professionals and identify gaps in kidney cancer management.
“There is a Seed and Growth Initiative supported by IKCC, and we were selected to drive this initiative in Nigeria,” Joseph explained. “We’ve brought together doctors, nurses, and oncologists to examine survey data and discuss gaps in care.”
He added that the event sought to highlight kidney cancer as a condition that deserves more public attention and discussion.
Also speaking, a public health professional and MACA’s Research and Publications Officer, Ogechukwu Akabuike underscored the need for strategic information dissemination.
“We need to amplify our voices and create new platforms to inform the public. When people are armed with accurate information, they’re empowered to make better health decisions,” she said.
The event featured a panel discussion on key gaps in kidney cancer management. The highlight was a presentation of the Nigerian findings from the Global Patient Survey on Kidney Cancer by Dr. Abiodun Egwuenu.
