Experts in the health sector have called for increased awareness, early detection, and equitable access to care in order to tackle the country’s rising cancer cases.
They made the call during the 2026 World Cancer Day celebration organized by the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) Ogun State branch in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
This year’s celebration, themed “United By Unique” with the sub-theme “Advancing Inclusive, Patient-Centered Cancer Care in Nigeria,” was held on Tuesday at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abeokuta.
Speaking at the event, Udeme Emah, State Coordinator, Pathfinder International, argued that the year’s theme is a reminder that everyone is bound together by a shared responsibility to prevent cancer, encourage early detection, and get vaccinated in some cases.
Emah, while encouraging community members to have their female children vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer, lamented the misconceptions and myths surrounding the vaccination.
He said, “There is a lot of misconception and myths around cervical cancer, and this has led many community members to keep their children from getting the HPV vaccine.”
Emah insisted that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective against cervical cancer, adding that it does not cause any disease, infertility, nor encourage promiscuity.
Delivering his keynote address, Prof. Abidemi Adenipekun, a radiation and clinical oncologist from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, lamented that the number of cancer cases in Nigeria is rising rapidly, revealing that more than 120,000 new cases are recorded annually and over 70,000 cancer-related deaths occur each year.
“Common cancers among women are breast cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and lymphomas, while among men they include prostate, colorectal, nasopharyngeal, lung, bladder cancers, and lymphomas, among others,” he said.
He attributed some causes to a highly refined, low-fiber diet, environmental pollution from industrialization, depletion of the ozone layer, smoking, and alcoholism, stressing that the country must move from awareness to action. He urged governments at all levels to build equitable, compassionate cancer centers in every geopolitical zone to ensure access and hope for all.
Prof. Adenipekun also advised health practitioners to adopt the patient-centered cancer care approach, explaining that it respects patient values and beliefs, allows for clear, honest, and compassionate communication, encourages shared decision-making, and addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
In her remarks, Ogun Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed that screening for cancer is already integrated into the state’s primary healthcare centers, lamenting that only 5 percent of residents have health insurance.
“My admonition to us is: prevention is better than cure. Get screened. Early detection leads to better outcomes. As citizens of Ogun State, screening for cancer is integrated into our primary health centers through health insurance, but unfortunately, only 5 percent of us have health insurance in this state,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Secretary of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) Ogun State branch, Dr. Bolaji Salako, asserted that the symposium would highlight what cancer is, enlighten people against misinformation, and teach them about treatment options and where they can be accessed.
