Listen up, people of Nigeria! We have a crisis on our hands, one that is claiming thousands of lives each year and yet, we are turning a blind eye to it. Cancer is on the rise in our country, and if we don’t start taking it seriously, we will continue to lose our loved ones at an alarming rate.
Professor Ifeoma Okoye, a seasoned medical expert in the field of Radiology, has sounded the alarm on the increasing cases of cancer in Nigeria. She pointed out that one of the major reasons for this rise is the hesitancy in getting health screenings. Let me break it down for you – health screenings are crucial in detecting cancer early, which in turn reduces the burden of managing the disease and increases the chances of survival.
Professor Okoye revealed some shocking statistics that should make every Nigerian sit up and take notice. She mentioned that the survival rate for breast cancer after five years of diagnosis is a dismal 10 to 30 percent in our country, compared to over 80 percent in high-income countries. This means that the majority of cancer cases in Nigeria are being detected at a late stage, when treatment options are limited and the prognosis is grim.
The World Health Organization reported that cancer accounted for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2020 alone. And if that wasn’t alarming enough, the Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment disclosed that over 120,000 new cancer cases are recorded in Nigeria every year. These numbers should make every Nigerian stop and think about their own health and the health of their loved ones.
So, what is causing this hesitancy in getting screened for cancer? Professor Okoye pointed out a few factors, including cultural and religious beliefs, and lack of awareness. Many Nigerians believe that cancer is a death sentence and resort to spiritual solutions or herbal concoctions instead of seeking medical help. This mindset is doing more harm than good and is ultimately leading to unnecessary deaths.
We need to change this narrative, Nigeria. We need to educate ourselves and our communities on the importance of early detection and screening for cancer. We need to break free from the shackles of outdated beliefs and embrace modern medicine. We need to take responsibility for our health and the health of our families.
It’s time to step up and advocate for more awareness and access to cancer screenings in our country. We cannot afford to continue losing lives to a disease that can be detected early and treated effectively. Let’s make a change, let’s save lives, let’s beat cancer together.
The time to act is now, Nigeria. Let’s rise up to the challenge and fight against this deadly disease. Our lives depend on it.
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Health screenings are crucial in detecting cancer early, which in turn reduces the burden of managing the disease and increases the chances of survival.
