Per annum, over 72,000 deaths are caused by cancer in Nigeria. With the increase in cancer cases, there has been major concerns about the factors that contribute to the rise of this disease. Statistically, the estimated number of breast cancer in Nigeria is at 27 percent, 14 percent for cervix uteri, 12 percent for liver, prostate and colorectal cancer respectively. Ahead of the World Cancer Day, Ifeoma Okoye, a Professor of Radiology at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Director for Clinical Trials (UNNCECT), has pointed out that pollution was now majorly contributing to the cases and deaths of cancer in Nigeria.
Cancer, being one of the top diseases that is consistently reducing the wellbeing of many individuals especially in developing countries like Nigeria, at least 70 percent of deaths related to this disease have been attributed to the inaccessibility to optimal healthcare. Presently, Nigeria is estimated to have a total of 233,911 cases of cancer, 184,815 new cases and 76,899 deaths on a yearly basis. Tobacco has been identified as a major risk factor for cancer, as it has been responsible for approximately 22 percent of cancer deaths. Consumption of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, air pollution and obesity have also been identified as other factors contributing to the disease.
Dependence on solid fuel contributes to environmental pollution in Nigeria.
Important to note that there are also risk factor infections attached to cancer which are regarded as the “cancer causing infections” and are most dominant in low and middle income countries. These cancer causing infections include hepatitis and human papilloma virus (HPV) and these infections have been responsible for at least 25 percent of the cancer cases within low and middle income countries. Alcohol and tobacco are some of the commonest abused substance among youths in Nigeria. Also, the forced nutrition transition that propagates western diet has immensely influenced our diet. Ifeoma Okoye noted that these nutrition’s which include highly processed, dense energy food, overtly sugary drinks and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) laden food enhancers have been so unhealthy.
Air pollution has also been identified as a major risk factor of cancer, contributing 80 percent cancer risk, even though no attention is paid to this factor in Nigeria. Professor Ifeoma stated that environmental pollution like fumes released from bio-wastes, vehicles, generators, burning waste and cooking have contributed a significant 80 percent to cancer’s risk factor. In Nigeria, fumed from vehicles significantly contribute to environmental pollution. In fact, the World Bank, in its report, noted that 94 percent of pollution in Nigeria was exposed to air pollution levels that exceeded the WHO standards. The Director of WHO, the Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinant of Health, Dr. Maria Neira, noted in an interview with CNN that the dependence on solid fuel for cooking and burning wastes were contributing factors to pollution.
Pollution in Africa has surged due to rapid economic & industrial growth.
The instability in the supply of energy in Nigeria has further increased the dependence of Nigerians on generators which release noxious fumes in unventilated environments. Dr. Neira also noted that the level of pollution in Africa had surged as a result of the rapid economic and industrial development without adequate technology. However, whilst Nigeria’s economy has experienced immense growth over the years, overtaking South Africa as Africa’s largest economy, the development across the numerous sectors like telecoms and agriculture have driven the economic growth at the cost of the environment’s exposure to first hand pollution.
On the dearth of diagnostic and treatment facilities in Nigeria, the Professor noted that Nigeria had overtime lacked comprehensive cancer treatment centers across the country. She however indicated that the situation was gradually improving, as the federal government was significantly investing in the development of oncology centers across Lagos, Abuja, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Enugu and three other hospitals. She also expressed hope at the rise in the privately-funded cancer centers in the country. She stated that besides programs like Cancer Health Fund, Drug Access Initiative, Chemo-Safe, National Health Insurance Act aimed at ameliorating out of pocket payment for cancer patient, the recent establishment of the National Cancer Research and Treatment Institute by the federal government was also an important step to improving the healthcare quality in the country.
WHO and UNFAO urged the restriction of ultra-processed foods.
A Radiology Professor indicated that Nigeria had one of the highest cancer mortality rates across the globe, with Global Cancer Observatory reporting that four out of every five cases leading to death. This, Professor Ifeoma personally attributed to increasing death rate, poor health seeking culture, superstitions, poverty, stigmatization and the low rate of oncology experts. On the health impact of ultra-processed foods, an Imperial College London-led observational research indicated that ultra-processed foods could increase the risk of developing and dying of cancer and in curbing this health challenge, the World Health Organization and United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization recommended a restriction of ultra-processed foods.
Related Link
Global Cancer Observatory: Website
Pollution contributes 80% to cancer risk. – Inaccessible optimal care attributed to 70% of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria. – Express your point of view.
Pollution in Nigeria is ignored as possible cause of cancer. It will be better for our health sector of Nigeria to create awareness about it because we are having increasing rate of cancer in the country.
The government should try as much as possible to put laws in place to help reduce the amount of air pollution the citizens experience as this is very dangerous to their health
Cancer is a terrible disease. Polluting of our environment has also contributed to the advent of this disease. Especially the air pollution, it affects our lungs.
Pollution is great danger to health which contribute to cancer risk pollution should not be ignored it will cause death of people and increase the rate of cancer
Anything that can jeopardize our health should be flagged down by the government. The people should also make sure to clean environment for safety health.
Cancer is a deadly disease that should not be entertained at all. All factors that could propel it should be savaged by the government.
The best thing to do to reduce the level of pollution resulting to cancer and other health risks is making sure the people are more aware of the menace and how to prevent it.
The power sector need attention and improvement. It’s instability in the supply of energy in Nigeria has poorly resulted into pollution which has now contributed to cases and deaths of cancer in the country. The gov’t should do everything its capable of doing to bring resurgence to the failure of the power sector. It will bring improvement and help reduce cancer cases.
It is imperative that steps be taken to halt the spread of pollution, since this is now a major factor in the incidence of cancer and the number of deaths from the disease in Nigeria, and it is taking the lives of people.
It is important for us to be aware of this instance in our surroundings because there have been significant concerns raised regarding the elements that contribute to the spread of this sickness.
The government should create some sort of awareness regarding pollution and try their possible best to teach people ways to prevent it.
Cancer is a serious issue in the world right now and it has caused a lot of deaths, it would be good for us to prevent the rate at which it increases in the country.
We have to prevent this from affecting the people pollution contribute to cancer and cancer is a very serious disease the health of the people is at risk with pollution
The rate of air pollution we’re exposed to in this country is overwhelming, I really hope the government takes preventive measures against it
Instability of electricity supply has led millions of Nigeria to own a generator. Owing a generator is now a necessity, almost every apartment has one. Now finding out smoke from it can be a potential cause of cancer is really crazy.
It’s important to create awareness about the dangers of the pollution from generator which is a major contribution to cancer risks. And we all know how deadly cancer is. We should be careful and ensure ventilation to avoid pollution
It is imperative that we address the issue of pollution as soon as possible because it poses a serious threat to public health and has been linked to an increased incidence of cancer.
All hands must be on deck in the country so as to reduce pollution in every region of the country especially the Niger Delta region where pollution is one of there major problem because cancer is one of the deadly disease without or little cure.
Since pollution contributes 80% to cancer risk. Government should create awareness to people because so many people don’t know about this pollutions. Whatever that can stop it should be done
Patient with cancer cases is constantly on the rise in Nigeria. A lot of people attention is on other substances that causes cancer not realizing that 80% of cancers were as a result of pollution. Everything require for proper treatment of cancers should be made readily available to save lives.