Do you know that Nigeria records 100,000 new cases of cancer annually

With cancer fast emerging as the leading cause of death worldwide, it has been revealed that Nigeria records over 100,000 new cases of the disease yearly.

Speaking at the official Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Asi Ukpo Oncology Center in Calabar at the weekend, a Clinical Oncologist, Dr Oseigwe Evaristus, who delivered a paper on "Overcoming the Burden of Cancer in Nigeria", attributed the increase to late presentation of cancer cases by patients to the hospitals for treatment.

He advised cancer patients to always report cases of cancer early enough for diagnosis and treatment.

A former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar at the event urged the Federal Government to establish more cancer control and treatment centers across the country, saying the existing nine centers spread across the country were not at their very best in rendering the needed services to over 160 million Nigerian population.

"The significance of this stone laying ceremony means a lot to Nigeria and the world because with the design and equipment that will be fixed here; the clamor for medical tourism abroad will be reduced,” he said.

"It is sad to know that even the nine cancer centers in the country are currently not operating in their optimal best. I am calling on the federal government to establish more cancer treatment centers across the country.’’

Commending the chairman of the Oncology Center, Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo rtd, for deciding to invest in healthcare, he urged him to make the center a model for the treatment and early detection of cancer patients in the country.

Ukpo said healthcare should not necessarily be managed by doctors alone and that that his objective to invest in healthcare as a retired military personnel was to save lives and not to make money.

Revealing that he lost two of his brothers to cancer, and this motivated him to build the center, he said, “Asi Ukpo diagnostic center is one of the best in the country. We get samples from different state for diagnosis. Putting up the oncology center will equally complement Cross River as a medical and tourism city in Nigeria. With God on our side, we hope to inaugurate the oncology center by next year with a view to start the treatment of cancer.”

Governor Ben Ayade in his remark promised to establish the eye and hypertension and diabetes centers to support the oncology center for improved healthcare services in the state.