From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The Federal Government has disclosed that not less than 72,000 people die annually from cancer related diseases, while 102,000 people are affected by the dreaded disease in the country.
Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made the disclosure yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the opening of a symposium organised by the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) founded by wife of the Ondo state governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu.
Adewole, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile Ife, Prof. Victor Adetiloye, said breast and cervical cancers are responsible for over 50 percent of deaths in the country. He regretted that the National Cancer Control Plan has expired, hence, the need for a new one.
The minister said the federal government has begun process for the establishment of dedicated cancer chemotherapy wards in nine federal tertiary institutions across the country.
“We have developed a new National Cancer Control Plan for year 2018 to 2022. The plan is the product of extensive inter-sectoral collaboration involving government, academia, bilateral and multilateral organisations and civil societies.
“The plan provides a clear road map as to how the ministry envisions cancer control efforts for the country 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,” he said.
In a similar vein, Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the state plans to build cancer centre in the state in order to tackle the ailment and the attendant consequences.
He said the Health Committee of the State Policy Development and Implementation Committee (SPDIC) had recommended the establishment of the centre and assured that the building will start soon.
The governor pledged support for BRECAN, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and said architects would soon be contacted to start work on the design of the centre.
Also speaking, Mrs Akeredolu, who is a breast cancer survivor, described the disease as the most common and number one killer among women.
She said breast cancer, which many people fear most, can be defeated if the right thing is done with the right attitude.
Mrs Akeredolu said those who think breast cancer is caused by witchcraft or by traditional bullets should have a rethink, and warned that any body can be infected.