The strategy for Africa to win the war against cancer by promoting early detection and treatment is back on the agenda.
This focus was highlighted at a High-Level Regional Seminar on Cancer Awareness for member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja.
Acknowledging several initiatives of the current administration in cancer management, including improved budgetary funding for health in 2024 and expanded access to cancer treatment, the First Lady of Nigeria emphasized reversing the grim statistics of cancer prevalence in the country over the past five years. Mobilizing resources to promote early detection is a major priority, she stated.
The seminar aimed to share knowledge and resources to reduce the prevalence of cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancer among women.
In her address, Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has focused on the diagnostic and treatment components of cancer care, she will lead advocacy efforts to promote innovative approaches to cancer prevention and early detection.
“My major interest is to reduce the prevalence of late presentation to improve treatment outcomes,” she said. She also assured Nigerians of the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer in young girls.
Reports from various cancer registries in the country, corroborated by Globocan Data, showed 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths within the past year. The five-year prevalence of cancer in Nigeria stands at 269,109 cases, with cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among women.
She stressed the importance of early detection and prevention measures for all preventable and curable cancers in Nigeria.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasized the need to enact a National Cancer Act, expressing confidence that the advocacy led by First Ladies would yield positive outcomes.
First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdogan, urged Africans to promote good dietary habits and leverage their rich medicinal resources to combat cancer. First Ladies from OIC African member states, including Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, emphasized the need for alliances and raised awareness about the disease in their presentations.
The seminar concluded with the Abuja Declaration, which included resolutions for improved funding, heightened advocacy, and better collaboration between member states. The declaration was read by Senator Oluremi Tinubu and endorsed by the attending First Ladies.
