No fewer than 72,000 of 102, 000 Nigerians, who suffered from cancer related ailments die annually, it was learnt yesterday.
Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole who disclosed this yesterday during the 20th Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) anniversary and third international breast cancer symposium, said breast and cervical cancers were responsible for over 50 per cent of death in the country.
Consequently, he said the Federal Government had commenced a process of establishing dedicated cancer chemotherapy wards in nine Federal Tertiary Health institutions across the country.
Adewole, who was represented by Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile- Ife Osun State, Prof Victor Adetiloye said the existing National Cancer Control Plan had expired, hence the need for new one. He said: "We have developed a new National Cancer Control Plan 2018 to 2022.
This National Cancer Control Plan is the product of extensive inter-sectoral collaboration involving government, academia, bilateral and multilateral organization and civil society.
"This National Cancer Control Plan provides a clear road map as to how the Ministry envisions cancer controls efforts for the country to be within the next five years and beyond.
Beyond the cancer patients and their families, this plan will serve as launch pad to reduce the incidence and prevalence of cancer in Nigeria."
Adewole said the Federal Government had remained in the forefront on the fight against all cancer related diseases in the country.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN said his government had planned to establish Cancer Treatment Centre in the state in order to help people suffering from the dreaded diseases have access to better treatment.
Akeredolu said the government would partner with BRECAN and other non-governmental Organisations to rid the country of the dreaded disease. Akeredolu's wife, Bet ty Anyanwu-Akeredolu whose pet project had helped those with breast cancer related disease said breast cancer should not be seen as death sentence for women, hence the setting up of BRECAN 20 years ago.
She said the misconception that breast cancer was caused by witches or spiritual attack should be jettisoned. She, however, urged government to design and implement appropriate policy to tackle cancer in the country with a view to equipping hospitals with more cancer centers across the country.
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