In advanced nations, high surveillance and robust healthcare systems ensure that residents who contract any type of cancer are discovered early and receive timely treatment. This proactive approach significantly reduces the fatality rate. However, in Nigeria, the situation is starkly different.

Factors such as ignorance, poverty, and cultural or religious beliefs contribute to the high mortality rate among cancer patients, who are often diagnosed only when their condition becomes critical.

Of the primary issues contributing to late-stage cancer detection in Nigeria is ignorance. Many Nigerians lack basic knowledge about cancer, its symptoms, and the importance of early detection.

This ignorance is compounded by a lack of public health education and awareness campaigns. As a result, individuals do not seek medical help until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult and less effective.

And then comes poverty

Poverty is another significant factor that hinders early cancer detection in Nigeria. The cost of medical care, including diagnostic tests and treatments, is prohibitively high for many Nigerians.

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This economic barrier prevents individuals from seeking medical attention at the onset of symptoms. Instead, they may rely on traditional medicine or self-medication, which delays proper diagnosis and treatment. The financial burden of cancer care further exacerbates the situation, as many families cannot afford the necessary treatments even when a diagnosis is made.

After the economic issues noticed comes the cultural and religious beliefs also playing a role in the late detection of cancer in Nigeria.

Some communities reportedly view cancer as a curse or a punishment, leading to stigma and discrimination against those affected. This stigma can discourage individuals from seeking medical help or disclosing their symptoms. Additionally, some religious beliefs promote faith healing over medical treatment, causing further delays in diagnosis and care.

How an oncologist summed it up

Dr Samuel Otene of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) highlighted these harmful causative factors in a recent presentation. He noted that the high mortality rate of cancer patients in Nigeria is largely due to late diagnosis.

According to Dr Otene, 90 percent of cancer cases in Nigeria are diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging and often resulting in death.

To address this issue, the doctor emphasised the importance of early detection and building immunity through vaccines.

Here in Nigeria, says the oncologist, the majority of patients present at stage three or four of cancer, making treatment more challenging and often resulting in death.

In his analysis, cancers relating to the breast, cervix, penis and prostate are the leading causes of up to 70 percent of all cases witnessed.

Although one-third of all cancer cases are preventable and another one-third can be effectively treated if detected early, these outcomes are not commonly seen in Nigeria.

This is a severe concern, as it indicates a systemic failure in the healthcare system to provide adequate cancer care and education.

In Nigeria, the majority of cancer patients present at stage three or four, making treatment more complex and less likely to succeed.

This late-stage presentation is particularly common in cancers of the breast, cervix, penis, and prostate, which account for up to 70 percent of all cancer cases in the country.

The advanced stage at which these cancers are diagnosed often leads to poor prognoses and high mortality rates.

What to do

The problems with late-stage cancer detection in Nigeria are multifaceted, involving ignorance, poverty, and cultural or religious beliefs.

Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes public health education, economic support for medical care, and efforts to reduce stigma and promote early detection.

By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can improve cancer outcomes and reduce the high mortality rate associated with late-stage diagnoses.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.