How Nigeria can effectively tackle cancer scourge – IHVN

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has harped the need for the country to scale up early detection and prevention strategies as key measures to combat the cancer scourge and reduce its significant burden on public health.

The Institute called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts towards making cancer screening accessible and affordable for vulnerable populations. It advocated for free cancer screening programmes, noting that the high cost currently puts it out of reach for millions of Nigerians.

Elima Jedy-Agba, principal investigator of the Network for Oncology Research in Sub Saharan Africa (NORA) represented by Victoria Igbinomwanhia, co-investigator, expressed concern that many Nigerians do not undergo cancer screening due to a lack of awareness, financial constraints, and prevalent misconceptions.

Speaking during a cancer awareness road walk organised by IHVN in Piwoyi, an Abuja community to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day, she highlighted the importance of educating residents on early detection. The road walk was funded by the NORA project which is implemented by IHVN.

Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, accounting for the second-highest proportion of cancer cases (11%) and deaths (12%) in Africa. In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded approximately 125,000 new cancer cases and over 75,000 deaths.

Jedy-Agba stressed that women and men must prioritise regular screenings to ensure early detection.

“We are urging that women should go screen early. The trend is that women do not screen early. We noticed that men do not go for screening for prostate and colorectal cancers which are the first and second commonest cancers amongst men in Nigeria. And for women, cervical cancer and breast cancer are the commonest cancers in Nigeria. So we’re advocating that women of productive age go screen cancer,” she urged.

The oncologist observed that aside from donor-funded programmes, there is minimal government support for cancer screening in Nigeria, making it expensive for many.

“For example, cervical cancer screening in some facilities costs as much as ₦30,000. Most women, especially those living in poverty, prioritise feeding their families over health checks. If the government can fund these screenings and make them free—like in some African countries—it will save countless lives,” she stated.

She urged the government to intensify awareness campaigns and collaborate with religious and traditional leaders, who often perpetuate misconceptions about cancer.

In addition to its awareness campaigns, the IHVN is conducting research to identify the genetic factors responsible for cancers in Nigeria. This initiative aims to inform policies that will guide government-led and facility-based screening programmes.

“Through research, we will develop policies to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of cancer screening programmes,” the expert added.