Experts from Nigeria, the United States, and Canada have called for increased investment in training, research, and international collaboration to improve cancer care in Nigeria. The experts, including surgeons, oncologists, nurses, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists, discussed emerging approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment at a symposium in Osun State. They emphasized the need for affordable and accessible cancer care, warning that the high cost of treatment is putting life-saving care beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
The symposium, organized by the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO), brought together international faculty from the United States and Canada to share knowledge and expertise with Nigerian healthcare professionals. The National Director of ARGO, Prof. Olusegun Alatise, advocated for wider access to new cancer treatment methods, training, and collaboration. He stressed that the rising cost of cancer care made it imperative for the government and stakeholders to find ways to make treatment more affordable.
Alatise, also Head of the Department of Surgery at Obafemi Awolowo University and a consultant surgical oncologist at OAUTHC, noted that the annual conference was established to bring global expertise to Nigerian professionals who could not afford to travel abroad for international training. He said the conference provided an opportunity for Nigerian healthcare professionals to learn from international experts at a lower cost.
Dr. Vikki Mango, Assistant Director, Global Cancer Research and Training, and Director, Breast Imaging International Outreach, emphasized the need for collaboration among professionals involved in cancer care. She said specialists in surgery, medical oncology, nursing, and radiology must work together to provide comprehensive patient care. Mango also noted that international collaborators had been impressed by the commitment of Nigerian healthcare professionals who continue to provide care despite resource constraints.
Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem, Consultant Gastrointestinal/Liver Pathologist at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, highlighted advances in cancer treatment that are giving patients new hope. She said diseases once considered almost untreatable now had several treatment options capable of helping patients live longer. Abdulkareem cited advances in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer and management of complications such as lymphoedema following mastectomy.
The symposium featured discussions on advanced endometrial cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative and hospice care. The experts also emphasized the need to invest in training healthcare professionals to international standards, warning that Nigeria could not achieve better cancer outcomes without continuously upgrading the skills of its medical workforce.
The Nigerian government has been urged to collaborate more with cancer specialists, particularly by funding training and research and reducing treatment costs. The experts also called for the adoption of emerging approaches in cancer care, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in cancer treatment for precision oncology. The symposium aimed to strengthen collaboration among professionals involved in cancer care and provide a platform for Nigerian healthcare professionals to learn from international experts.
Key points
- Experts urge Nigerian government to make cancer treatment more affordable and accessible
- Increased investment in training, research, and international collaboration is needed to improve cancer care in Nigeria
- The use of Artificial Intelligence in cancer treatment for precision oncology is being advocated
