As the World prepares to mark World Cancer Day on February 4, a Consultant Oncologist, Atara Ntekim, on Friday called for change in the perception and approach of Nigerians to cancer care.
Ntekim, who lectures at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He spoke ahead of the commemoration of the World Cancer Day, marked annually on Feb. 4 across the world.
The theme for 2017 World Cancer Day is “We Can, I Can”, it was introduced in 2016 and would run through 2018.
According to him, this fact is relevant in the Nigerian context as well as other low resource countries, and the theme calls for change in the perception and approach to cancer care.
“This is important considering the fact that in the developed countries, cancer cases are higher than in the less developed countries, but paradoxically, death from cancer is higher in the latter.
“This is due to availability of cancer awareness programmes, facilities for prevention and treatment, and better access to cancer care in the developed countries.
“A consideration of cancer control resources in the developed countries reveals greater participation of individuals, groups and corporate entities than the government which mostly provides policy directives toward the fight against cancer,“ he said.
Ntekim listed some of the measures for effective control of cancer to include eating natural healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables, living an active lifestyle, doing exercises, and undertaking domestic chores.
“Maintaining clean and hygienic environment, through proper handling of domestic and industrial wastes, can prevent exposure to cancer causing agents.
“Accessing preventive measures such as immunisation can also reduce the incidence of cervical and liver cancers greatly.
“Regular screening can lead to early detection of cervical and prostate cancers at stages where treatment can still be guaranteed.
“At the group level, preventive and screening activities can be enhanced since most Nigerians belong to at least three or more groups, be it social, religious or business.
“Cancer control activities can be incorporated into the annual general meetings, conferences, religious programmes and other social gatherings organised for members,“ he said.
Ntekim said that cancer screening and therapy facilities were inadequate in the country.
According to him, this is largely because at present, establishment and maintenance of such facilities are mostly left in the hands of the government.
“In developed countries, philanthropists, organisations and groups play significant role in the provision of affordable cancer control facilities.
“In Nigeria, individuals and groups can as well raise funds to support the establishment or maintenance of cancer control facilities for the benefit of members and other citizens.
“On the public domain, the government should set up a body to direct cancer control programmes by providing the framework for cancer control activities.
“Thereafter, philanthropists, non-governmental organisations and corporate bodies should partner with the government and sponsor sectional programmes that will work toward effective cancer control in Nigeria,“ he said.
