Posted on: Thu 08-05-2025

Let’s face it: for too long, cancer has been treated like a death sentence in Nigeria. But does it have to be? According to Dr. Mary Clement, a gynaecologist at Asokoro General Hospital in Abuja, the answer is a resounding no—if we start taking early detection seriously.

At a recent OncoSeek Cancer Training session for journalists, Dr. Clement didn’t just talk medicine—she delivered a wake-up call. She stressed that with timely screening, many cancers, particularly cervical and breast cancers, can be treated completely. In some cases, she said, patients don’t even need chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Let that sink in: no chemo, no radiation—just early action.

“If you test early and cancer is detected early,” Dr. Clement explained, “there are chances for total cure for some of the cancer varieties.”

It’s not just theory. She shared a striking case of a woman who walked into the hospital feeling perfectly fine. A routine screening revealed precancerous cervical lesions. One simple procedure—a loop excision—was all it took to stop cancer before it could start. That’s the kind of silent victory we should be celebrating and repeating.

So, what’s stopping us?

The hard truth? Cost.

Not everyone can afford to pay N10,000 for a hospital test. As Dr. Clement rightly pointed out, a roadside akara vendor might desperately want to get screened but simply can’t justify the price. If the government were to step in and subsidize cancer screening, as she suggests, we might see a flood of people coming forward—early, when treatment is most effective and least invasive.

This isn’t just about health—it’s about equity. Access to life-saving diagnostics shouldn’t depend on how much money you have in your pocket.

Why Are We Waiting?

Sadly, many General Hospitals in the FCT lack dedicated oncology units. Patients are screened and then shuffled off to the National Hospital for treatment—a process that can feel overwhelming, disjointed, and delayed. Dr. Clement used this platform to plead with the FCT Minister to build a dedicated cancer centre in Abuja. And she’s right. Isn’t it time the capital city of Africa’s most populous nation had the infrastructure to match its healthcare needs?

The Role of Media—and Technology

This training, organised by Excellion International, wasn’t just a medical workshop—it was a call to arms for the media. Salomey Eferemo, one of the facilitators, made it clear: journalists are vital in creating cancer awareness. If the media doesn’t spread the message, who will?

And there’s good news on the tech front. Dr. Emmanuel Akhaumere of the National Hospital introduced participants to OncoSeek, an AI-powered diagnostic tool that promises to revolutionise early detection. With tools like this, cancer diagnosis is becoming less cumbersome and more accurate. But again, only if people actually come forward to get tested.

Dr. Akhaumere also reminded everyone that even the best technology is useless without proper sample collection and diagnostics. Nigeria needs stronger lab systems, proper blood testing protocols, and better awareness—especially at the grassroots.

What Needs to Happen Now

Government must subsidize cancer screening. This is non-negotiable if we want to shift the narrative from “late-stage diagnosis” to “early, curable detection.”

Media must get louder. Stories like that of the cured woman need to dominate headlines and social feeds.

Communities must push past fear and myths. Cancer isn’t a curse. It’s a disease—and like many diseases, it’s beatable if caught early.

Health systems must be strengthened. No woman should have to travel across town just to get a diagnosis. Oncology care should be available and accessible in every major hospital.

So here’s the real question: What’s stopping us from making this change? Early detection isn’t just smart medicine—it’s common sense, and it could be the difference between life and death.

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