Cancer Patients and Survivors in Lagos State have called On Government to give Cancer Care the priority it deserves in the Nation’s health care delivery system either by subsidising the cost of treatment or make it free.
Speaking during an aerobic session to mark cancer day in Lagos, some of the Survivors told AIT crew that despite the massive campaign for awareness to promote testing for early detection, access to care has remained a major Challenge due to high cost of treatment.
Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with over 127,000 new cases and approximately over 100,000 deaths recorded in 2025 according to records from the World Health Organisation.
Cassandra John is a mother of two who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.
While she has become part of the advocacy for Regular regular testing for early detection, Over the years she has been struggling with her meagre earnings as a teacher and support from different people to sustain the high cost of Cancer treatment.
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Like Cassandra John, this is the case of many Nigerians, both men and women who are battling with one form of cancer disease or the other.
In 2025, according to records from the world health organisation WHO Nigeria presented a severe public health crisis with over 127,000 new cancer cases and approximately 100,000 deaths
Breast, cervical, prostate, liver, and colonrectal cancers are the most common cancers with over 70% of cases attributed to late diagnosis.
Cancer is a large group of diseases characterised by the rapid uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells that can spread to other organs of the body, with family history, environmental and lifestyle issues as risk factors
While lifestyle modification and regular exercise, such as being done to mark 2026, cancer day has been of help, improved access to care through government ‘s intervention, and many say remains the ultimate remedy.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
