Cancer remains a major health concern in Nigeria, yet early detection through screening can significantly improve survival rates. Unfortunately, many Nigerians avoid screening due to misinformation, fear, and cultural beliefs. This reluctance often leads to late-stage diagnoses when treatment options are limited and less effective.

According to Dr. Emmanuel Iyere, Head of Diagnostic Services at BT Health and Diagnostics Centre, Ikeja, early detection saves lives, emphasizing the need to invest in better screening programmes, improve medical infrastructure such as medical equipment provided by PPC Healthcare, and nationwide awareness campaigns.
This blog post will debunk common myths about cancer screening and set the record straight.

Myth 1: “If I Feel Fine, I Don’t Need a Cancer Screening”
Fact : Many cancers, including breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, do not show symptoms in their early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may have already advanced, making treatment more difficult and expensive. Regular screenings help detect cancer early when treatment is more effective and less invasive.

Myth 2: “Cancer Screening is Too Expensive”
Fact : Many public hospitals and health initiatives offer free or subsidized screenings in Nigeria. In 2024, Kwara Govt Flags Off Free Breast, Cervical Cancer Screening. The Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria also organizes free cervical and breast cancer screening at the Federal Medical Center Abuja and the Lagos state government offers a cervical cancer screening programme at various primary health care (PHC) centers in Lagos.

Myth 3: “Cancer Screening is Only for Older People”
Fact : Certain cancers, such as breast and cervical cancer, also affect young adults. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most affected age group for breast cancer in Nigeria is 40-44 years. Cervical cancer cases are rising among women in their 20s and 30s
To reduce the risk of late detection, health experts recommend that women should start breast self-examinations from their 20s and get mammograms from age 40. Also, women should undergo regular Pap smears from age 25 to screen for cervical cancer.
Since cancer also affects men, they advise that men should get prostate cancer screenings from age 40, especially if they have a family history.

Myth 4: “Cancer Screening is Painful and Dangerous”
Fact: Most screenings are quick, non-invasive, and safe. Mammograms may cause slight discomfort but last only a few minutes while Pap smears are simple procedures that take less than 5 minutes and are crucial for detecting cervical cancer early. Screening for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) requires only a simple blood sample.

Early detection saves lives. If you’ve never had a cancer screening or it’s been a while, now is the time to act.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq today flagged off the Kwara Project Ten Million to screen one hundred and ninety-six thousand, nine hundred and thirteen residents of Kwara for hypertension and diabetes.

The launch, which was held at the State Banquet Hall, is expected to run from 27th of October to the 3rd of November 2024.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, Governor AbdulRazaq stated that hypertension and diabetes are a pressing health challenge affecting millions globally and posing significant risks to our communities, hence the need for a free screening programme for hypertension and diabetes for the residents of the state.

He added that with health being a fundamental right, this administration has been and will continue to take significant steps towards combating these silent diseases by ensuring that every citizen has easy access to the resources they need to live a healthy life.

“Through this screening programme, we seek to raise awareness, offer free screening, and provide education on prevention and management” he explained.

He urged Kwarans to take advantage of this programme by participating in the exercise, adding that together, the cycle of ignorance and stigma surrounding these conditions can be broken as well as promoting a proactive approach to health.

Governor AbdulRazaq noted that in addition to this free screening initiative, it is imperative that healthier lifestyle changes be made, which includes eating healthy, regular exercise, and regular check-ups.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals, community organizations, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring this initiative to life.

In her speech, First Lady of Kwara state and Founder Ajike Foundation, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq stated that this initiative being launched today underscores the commitment of the state government to the health of Kwarans.

She noted the importance of early detection and prompt treatment of diseases in order to prevent complications that may arise from late detection.

She charged residents of the state to prioritize their wellbeing by knowing their blood pressure and blood sugar count in order to avert the incidence of sudden death.

In her address, Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam explained that the Project Ten Million is an initiative of the Nigeria Health Commissioner’s Forum endorsed by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, the Federal Ministry of Health and several development partners.

She added that the Project is aimed at screening 10 Million Nigerians for the two major and deadliest non-communicable diseases, hypertension and diabetes, across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Honorable Yakubu Salihu Danladi represented by Hon Abdulkareem Musa expressed joy over the initiative, pledging that all 24 members of the House will take the awareness to all their constituents so that they can all benefit from the project.

Chairman House Committee on Health and Environment, Hon. Razaq Owolabi lauded the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for prioritizing the health of residents, assuring the full participation of the State House of Assembly to the wellbeing of the people of the state.

Development Partners and other stakeholders commended the intervention of the government of Kwara state aimed at improving the health of residents of the state, pledging their continued support to Kwara State.

L-R: Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary, Ogun State Government; Dr. Tomi Coker, Hon. Commissioner for Health, Ogun State; Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser, Lagos State Governor on Health; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, D-G, Nigeria Diaspora Commission; Dr. Olaolu Odemuyiwa, Chief Medical Director of Caring Habitat and Dr Adeyemi Onabowale, Chairman, Reddington Hospital Group, at the official commissioning of Caring Habitat, Lekki, Lagos.

The healthcare value chain in Nigeria has received shot in the arm with the official commissioning in Lekki, Lagos of Caring Habitat, the first post-hospital care facility in Nigeria for patients who are “too sick to go home but too well to remain in the hospital.”At a well-attended opening event on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Chief Medical Director for Caring Habitat, Dr. Olaolu Odemuyiwa, said the facility is a halfway house, a bridge between an acute center (hospital) and a home.”Our mission is to transition individuals from dependent to independent living in the shortest possible time,” declared Dr. Odemuyiwa. He said that the facility will help free hospital beds to admit more patients in critical health conditions while Caring Habitat takes over to ensure the patient returns to full recovery and returns to an independent life.He therefore called on state governments to establish more rehabilitation hospitals within their states while the Federal government should establish at least one in each geopolitical zone so that more people can be nurtured back to productive independent live after chronic illness.According to the Caring Habitat Chief Medical Director, the facility is a 40-room purpose-built state-of-the-art Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre strategically located in a serene and secured area in Metro Homes Estate, Abraham Adesanya, Lagos.Their services include physical rehabilitation for stroke, catastrophic illness, post-operative recovery, frailty, debility, and arthritis.“We also manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain, dementia, among other services,” said Odemuyiwa who returned to Nigeria to set up Caring Habitat after 30 years of practice in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to Ogun State Government and Special Guest of Honour at the event, said Caring Habitat came at a time when Nigerians are yearning for better health care services. He said the partnership between the government and the private sector in health will ensure that Nigeria has a very healthy and productive population able to drive the economy to prosperity.Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director-General, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, who was also a special guest at the event, urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate the good gesture of the Chief Medical Director of Caring Habitat and return home to help build Nigeria not only in the health sector but all other sectors that can help the country achieve inclusive growth and economic prosperity.Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, said that Lagos State is collaborating with the private sector healthcare facilities to reduce the burden of patients care on government hospitals which she said can cater for only 30% of patients in the state. “The rest 60% patronize private hospitals, while 10% has other means of taking care of their health,” Mrs. Ogunyemi said.She commended the management and staff of Caring Habitat saying the facility represents a significant stride towards bridging the gap in healthcare infrastructure and expertise not only in Lagos State but Nigeria. Highlights of the Open Day event was a guided tour of the facilities by guests.