Stakeholders have stressed the need for early cancer detection and prompt treatment, warning that delays in diagnosis and access to care could reduce survival chances and worsen the growing burden of the disease.

They explained that while cancer is not a death sentence, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and inadequate awareness could undermine treatment outcomes and efforts to save lives in Nigeria.

They said preventive healthcare, early detection and timely medical intervention were critical to reducing the country’s growing cancer burden.

The stakeholders disclosed these at the annual public lecture of the Cancer Enlightenment and Support Group held in Lagos with the theme, ‘Cancer Awareness and Enlightenment: Causes, Prevention, Early Detection and Intervention, with Emphasis on Cancer Statistics within the Nigerian Context.’ According to the Global Cancer Observatory 2022, Nigeria had 127,763 new cancer cases, 79,542 deaths, and 269,109 prevalent cases in five years.

The World Health Organisation says prostate, breast, cervical, colorectal, and liver cancers are the leading cancers among males and females in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of CESG, Rev.

Tony Akinyemi, said ignorance, late detection, and financial constraints were among the major factors contributing to cancer-related deaths in the country.

“People are losing the battle against cancer for two major reasons.

Number one, lack of early information and detection, and two, lack of timely intervention or financial access to care,” he said.

“Many Nigerians are simply unaware of preventive lifestyle choices.

Many are insensitive to early cancer warning signs, while others hold back because of fear and misconceptions.

By the time many seek medical help, the disease has often advanced to late stages, where treatment options become limited, agonisingly expensive and painful,” he added.

Akinyemi, who stressed that cancer education should extend beyond hospitals to homes, workplaces, religious institutions and communities, said CESG was committed to promoting awareness, supporting affected families and advocating improved access to cancer treatment.

In his keynote lecture, a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr Ademola Oyekan, said cancer develops when normal cells lose their ability to regulate growth and begin multiplying uncontrollably.

He explained that cancer was not a single disease, noting....