Today we tackle the issues in Nigeria

1. Why is Nigeria recording more cancer cases presently.

Research shows that Nigeria has been experiencing an uptick in cancer cases over recent times, a phenomenon linked to a combination of complex factors:

1. **Increased Awareness and Diagnosis:** With more awareness and availability of diagnostic facilities, more people are getting diagnosed now than in previous years. Thus, these diagnoses feed into the statistics.

2. **Lifestyle Changes:** Westernization of Nigerian diets and sedentary lifestyles have led to an upsurge in cancers related to obesity like breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

3. **Environmental Pollution:** Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, has seen significant environmental degradation due to decades-long oil exploitation, leading to increased exposure to carcinogenic compounds.

4. **Aging Population:** Cancer largely is a disease of old age. As the Nigerian population continues to live longer due to improvements in healthcare contributing to lowered mortality from infectious diseases, the incidence of cancer will naturally rise.

5. **Limited Access to Prevention and Early Detection Services:** Services like vaccinations, routine screenings, and cancer education are scarce, resulting in cancers only being discovered at advanced stages where chances of survival are reduced.

6. **Tobacco and Alcohol Use:** With increasing consumption of tobacco and alcohol, related cancers such as lung, mouth, and liver cancers are also on the rise.

Understanding these factors can better equip us to reduce cancer incidence and increase survival rates. Advocating for improved healthcare services, lifestyle modifications, early detection, and preventive measures like vaccines, may help stem this growing tide.

However, it is essential not to stereotype or generalize the complexity of the issue, as numerous other factors might also be at play. Individual variations, like genetic predispositions or specific socio-economic factors, could influence cancer rates as well.

Please share this information far and wide so that awareness can be created around this serious issue and stronger, more informed actions can be taken to prevent and treat cancer in Nigeria and globally.

Remember: Knowledge is the first step to action, and action is the first step to change. Let’s change this!

2. A major risk factor in the prevalence of cancers is the ageing factor.

We find that more younger persons are coming down with cancers against the norm.
Why is this happening?

Undeniably, age is a dominant risk factor for cancer. With cells experiencing more mutations as we grow older, the potential for cancerous growth increases. However, recent trends have noted the worrying increase of cancer in younger individuals. Let’s unpack why this might be happening:

**1. Lifestyle Choices and Environmental Factors:** In contrast to earlier generations, younger people are now being exposed to harmful lifestyle habits and environmental toxins earlier. Rapid urbanization, sedentary living, unhealthy diets, increased substance abuse, and pollution all contribute to heightened cancer risks.

**2. Hereditary Factors:** Sometimes, early-onset cancer is related to inherited genetic mutations. Genetic testing is increasingly identifying people with a higher predisposition for certain cancers.

**3. Increasing Diagnosis:** With advanced medical technology and increasing awareness, cancer is being detected more often and much earlier than before, even in younger people.

**4. Delayed Parenthood:** There’s been a trend of delaying childbirth in recent decades. This delay, particularly in women, has been associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer.

**5. Obesity:** The younger generation, more than ever before, is grappling with obesity amid changes in diet and physical activity levels. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for several cancer types.

Increasing cancer rates in younger people are an urgent global health concern that requires collective action. Empowering younger generations with health knowledge, promoting healthier lifestyles, and advocating for reduced exposure to environmental toxins are key to reverse this trend.

Sharing this knowledge can be crucial in combating cancer, so don’t keep it to yourself!

Look after one another. Together, we can turn the tide against cancer. Please share this message if it resonated with you. Let’s get everyone informed, because every life is worth fighting for. #KnowledgeIsPower #FightCancerTogether

3 .Many are dying from cancers. What’s the curret prevalence in the country and What’s the way out?

In Nigeria, an estimated 72,000 cancer deaths occur annually, and 250,000 new cases are diagnosed from its population. Nigeria has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the world.

Cancer’s impact in Nigeria is indeed devastating. But fear not, we’re not powerless against it. Here’s our way out:

**Prevention:** Lifestyle modification is a key ally in this fight. Adopting healthy habits like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, and regular sun protection can curb the risk of developing many types of cancers.

**Early Detection:** Regular screenings for various types of cancer can lead to early detection, which significantly improves the chances of effective treatment and survival. Self-examinations and regular health check-ups can literally save lives.

**Vaccinations:** Certain types of cancers can be prevented through vaccines, such as HPV and Hepatitis B, which can protect against cancers caused by these viruses.

**Research and Medical Advancements:** Investment in scientific research is crucial to discover more about the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Breakthroughs in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, precision medicine, and AI in healthcare are revolutionizing cancer treatment.

**Mental and Emotional Health:** With a cancer diagnosis and treatment come various emotional challenges. Adequate support, such as counselling and support groups, can boost resilience and coping mechanisms.

**Awareness:** Spread the word about cancer prevention, detection, and the importance of supporting research. Nothing changes without awareness.

Remember, cancer is an adversary, but with understanding, effort, and unity, we can change the narrative. Share this vital info with the people you care about. Ignite a conversation about cancer and become a part of the solution. Together, we can diminish the impact of cancer. #FightCancer #TogetherAgainstCancer