Cancer: Expert calls for more screening centres, equipment

Habeebu, also the Head of Department, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

The World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 4 across the world and the theme for 2017 is: “We Can, I Can”.

The World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what a person can do to make a pledge and take action.

Habeebu said that most teaching hospitals in the country had few cancer facilities and equipment.

The doctor said that LUTH was one the of six government hospitals that had facilities for breast cancer.

“Most of the time, less than half of the facilities do not work because of the patients load we have in LUTH, as most of the patients come from different states in the country.

“The cancer facilities and professionals we have in LUTH are grossly inadequate and they are not enough for the treatment of cancer patients.

“Governments need to create more awareness on cancer and engage in public private partnership with non-governmental organisations, stakeholders and corporate companies to set up more oncology centres.

“The inclusion of cancer treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) can help cancer patients because the treatment is very expensive.

“Nigerians are not financially buoyant and cancer treatment is expensive, so, people may not be able to afford it,” Habeebu said.

According to the expert, cancer incidence has increased worldwide.

He said that in Nigeria, the rise in cancer cases was because people’s lifestyles had changed.

“We record more of cancer patients because we do more of white collar jobs, lack of exercise and our diet has shifted to refined foods.

“Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women worldwide because of late first pregnancy and lack of breastfeeding because they don’t want to lose their shape.

“Most white collar jobs require sitting down all through which is a sedentary lifestyle with no or irregular physical activity.

“We have few cases of cancer among the athletes and sportsmen because their work requires more exercise,” the expert said.

Habeebu said that many cancers could be prevented by avoiding exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco smoke, and industrial smoke.

“People need to change their lifestyle through healthy living and eat more of vegetables and fruits which provide minerals and vitamins to fight cancerous diseases. ‘’

He advised people to always go for regular medical checkup for early detection and treatment of cancer.