Many more Nigerian men have never been screened for prostate cancer; this reveals the high risk of increasing prostate cancer patients and low level of screening and awareness in the county, says a new research finding.
“On a daily basis at least 15 men die in Nigeria”. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nigerian men with 13,078 new cases (which is 29.1%) and 5,806 deaths in 2018. The age-standardised incidence rates (ASR) for prostate cancer was 32.8 new cases per 100,000 men and mortality rate were about 16.3 per 100,000 men in 2018 according to the World Health Organisation.
Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in Nigeria, whereas breast is the first and cervical cancer the second. Cancer is a critical public health problem in this population.
The researchers found that 82.1% of Nigerian men who participated in the study have never been screened for prostate cancer and most of them are 40 years and above which is the prostate cancer risk age, revealing that only some 13.8% reported having been screened for prostate cancer.
“This reveals the low screening levels for prostate screenings in Nigeria. Out of 901 men, only 124 have ever been checked for prostate cancer, while 740 have never. This result clearly explains the rationale for late detection of prostate cancer in Nigeria and increasing cancer death,” says Runcie Chidebe, the researcher and executive director, Project PINK BLUE.
He added: “In Nigeria, there is no organised screenings or a national screening programme; what is currently available is sporadic screenings, driven by nonprofits and non-governmental organisations hosting medical missions in diverse communities.
The research conducted by a non-governmental organisation, Project PINK BLUE, explores on Prostate Cancer Awareness, Health Behaviours and Attitudes in Nigeria, supported by the ACT Foundation was released on Thursday 23rd, May.
Men on Blue is a health intervention focused on closing the gap of awareness, education, research and screenings for prostate cancer in rural communities in Nigeria.”
Over 10,000 were reached with awareness and over 15million indirectly reached through our television, radio and social media campaigns.
According to the research result, out of the 1661 who received the prostate specific antigen test (PSA), a total of 129 men presented with high level PSA scores of 4.0ng/mL, which was 7.8% in this study.
“Out of the 901 men who received the PSA test, 101 men (11.2%) were single, 4 men (.4%) were divorced, 6 men (.7%) separated, 11 men (1.2%) widowed and 741 men (82.2) were married,” study revealed.
The researchers found that most respondents (70%) make out-of-pocket payments for health care services. Only 14.5% and 4.2% are covered by health insurance and their organisations respectively.
“This highlights the challenge facing the Nigerian health care system. With only few people having access to health coverage, our findings reveal that most Nigerian men have to pay for essential health services from their pockets as they do not have any health insurance coverage. This as well will slow our push to detect prostate cancer early in men as people may be discouraged from seeking professional health attention given the expected financial burden,” says Researchers.
According to Chidebe , a diagnosis of prostate cancer could cost N147, 000 to N152, 000, surgery could cost N350, 000 to N950, 000, twenty-five to thirty sessions of chemotherapy could cost N150, 000 to N360, 000. In total, a patient needs about N1.3million to N3.3million to treat prostate cancer in Nigeria.
“How many Nigerian men can pay out these kind of money from their pocket to get treated? Many of these indigent men would just decide to stay back at home and die. With the poor national health insurance, it has become more financially stressful to cope with the financial burden of cancer in Nigeria. Very few families can afford to foot the bills of diagnosis, surgery and treatment,” he stressed.
The research also stated that for 15.2 percent of men reporting not-sure of their knowledge of any prostate cancer diagnosis in their family is worrisome. Knowing family health history is extremely important in prostate cancer prevention and early detection of prostate cancer.
Ifeoma Okoye, a radiologist at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and founder of Breast Without Spot, said Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. (Still, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history).
“If a man knows his family history, he will keep himself on check and thereby know his risk factors and find ways to lower his risks or control them through prostate cancer prevention like: maintain healthy body weight, be physically active, and diet,” she said.
In Nigeria, there is no organised screenings or a national screening programme; what is currently available is sporadic screenings, driven by nonprofits and non-governmental organisations hosting medical missions in diverse communities.
The report stated that nearly 3 percent of the respondents identified that they have had a diagnosis of prostate cancer. 93 percent never has prostate cancer.
However the researchers call on the Federal Government, state and local governments in recommendation to make prostate cancer screenings like prostate specific antigen (PSA) and Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) mandatory in all public hospitals advising that once a man who is 40 years and above comes to the hospital, he should receive a PSA or DRE.
“Insurance should be made mandatory in Nigeria, just the same way vehicle insurance is made mandatory and there is a need for prostate cancer education materials to promote the risk factors, screening and early detection in Nigeria,” Chidebe said.
ANTHONIA OBOKOH
