The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Lagos, has raised concerns over the high number of cervical cancer cases and the low level of public awareness of the preventable disease in Nigeria.
NIMR, Director of Research, Professor Oliver Ezechi, while speaking to journalists, revealed that about 36 million women aged 15 years and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer in Nigeria.
He said 12,000 cases are diagnosed and 8,000 deaths recorded annually, representing about 33 new cervical cases and 22 deaths daily.
Prof. Ezechi noted that cervical cancer
is the second most common cancer after breast cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among Nigeria’s female population.
“Cancer of the cervix, commonly known as cervical cancer, is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Currently, one life is lost every two minutes to this disease. Importantly, it is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women in 36 countries including Nigeria.
“In 2020, an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths occurred, with more than 90 percent of the new cases and deaths occurring in Low and Low Middle-Income Countries, LMIC.
"In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and second to breast cancer among its female population.
“Over 36 million women over 15 years in Nigeria are at risk of developing it. There are 12,000 cases diagnosed annually, with 8,000 deaths translating to 33 new cervical cancer cases and 22 deaths from the disease daily.
“It is one of the most preventable and successfully treatable forms if it is detected, diagnosed early, and managed effectively. Like many cancers, the earliest cervical cancer is detected, the higher the chances of survival.
“The high burden of cervical cancer and a resultant number of deaths occurring in women in Nigeria are attributable to poor access to effective screening and identification of precancerous lesions, late presentations in the health facilities and inadequate treatment services.”
The Director of Research, also lamented that some Nigerians are misplacing their priorities and placing less attention on their health care.
“My heart beats every time we talk about health and people talk of lack of money. Every day, Nigerians are saving money for parties, clothes, and shoes, but we want to quantify health.
“How much is the vaccination? When we started the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, test in the country, it was unaffordable. However, because of the publicity and intervention, now it is affordable.
“We will not be able to vaccinate all the young girls in Nigeria, but we are trying to create that movement that would make the federal and state governments move into action and prioritize it.
“People organize shows and call musicians to perform for huge sums. What will stop them from saying? “I am going to vaccinate all the girls in Yaba local government?’ I am not saying entertainment isn’t important but one needs to be healthy before one can be entertained.”
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