Cost-effective cancer control solutions advocated by experts
Cost-effective ways of dealing with cancer to reduce the burden of the disease, which constitutes the highest cause of medical tourism by Nigerians, have been advocated by experts at this year’s Annual Doctors’ Conference organised by Lakeshore Cancer Centre.
They suggested lifestyle modifications, early/accurate diagnosis as well as appropriate treatment and palliative care as key ways of reducing the scourge of cancer.
“There is a cancer epidemic brewing at our doorstep and we must act now to effectively combat it. Breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers are the four most common cancers currently in Nigeria,” said Chumy Nwogu, a Cancer Epidemiologist; Thoracic surgical oncologist and chief executive officer, Lakeshore Cancer Centre.
According to Nwogu, it has been documented that the burden of non- communicable diseases on the Nigerian population is growing at an alarming rate.
He explained that given the limited expenditure on healthcare in Nigeria, it is crucial to strive to maximize the impact of cancer control through less financially demanding alternatives that exist.
Nwogu said that since our cancer registration is marked under developed, this is probably a significant under estimated of the Nigerian Cancer burden.
He pointed out that Lifestyle modifications, vaccination, screening, early/accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and palliative care are all critical components of effective cancer control.
“There is a compelling opportunity to engage working collaboratively, with the public and private healthcare institutions, physicians, nurses, pharmacist, allied healthcare workers, researchers, non-governmental organizations and the citizenry at large can make a huge difference,” Nwogu said.
According to the latest estimate on the global burden of cancer, in September 2018, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) “There will be an estimated 18.1million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018. In Nigeria, 115,950 new cases and 70,327 deaths are predicted”.
Francis Abayomi Durosinmi- Etti, consultant clinical oncologist and chairman, National Programme on Cancer Management, noted that Cancer prevalence in Nigeria is on the rise, it is not going down and it is frightening.
“Emphasis in Nigeria should be placed on finding means of supporting the cancer patients in cost effective cancer care. This is why this symposium is a very important one.”
“Cancer treatment is always very expensive for the patients and their families and it is yet to be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“If the country finds a means of getting the money whether through the NHIS or even some other means of support, then patients can get treatment at a proper price and also service will be kept going,” Durosinmi- Etti said.
Also at the conference Stephen Edge, a professor of surgery and oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Buffalo, New York, USA, while speaking on ‘key breast cancer treatment practice for cost effective care’, said breast cancer is an increasing problem around the world and especially in Africa, noting that the major problem is late presentation.
Edge added that cost effective solutions for treatment are available such as appropriate use of radiation, lymph node surgery, and use of neoadjuvant therapy.
“Cost effective approaches must be addressed in the setting of increased efforts to promote early detection and early intervention,” Edge advised.
Similarly, Abuchi Okaro, Consultant Laparoscopic upper GI and Bariatric surgeon at Euracare Multi- Specialist Hospital in Lagos, urged Nigerians to consultant specialists for proper screening. He also advised conducting pap smears test and mammogram, noting that early detection will help increase chances of survival.