In order to optimise the treatment of Cancer in Nigeria, the Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON) is advocating a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.
Speaking at a press parley to announce a date for the 2016 Cancer Summit, the President of CEAFON, Prof. Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti, stated that the rising incidence of cancer in Nigeria, calls for a holistic approach to the management and treatment of the disease.
According to him, the age long practice where cancer patients are attended to by just a particular doctor is no longer acceptable, as the treatment of cancer patient requires multifaceted expertise. “We are mobilising the medical experts in the various aspects of cancer management to key into this approach so we can proffer better solutions to the disease,” he said.
He also spoke on the need for a National Standard Operating Protocol for cancer treatment that would make management of cancer easier. “We are looking at having the same kind of Teletherapy Radiotherapy machines and techniques for treatment of cancer across all the centres, that way, a patient can walk into any other centre for treatment if for instance a particular one breaks down, knowing that he/she will get same kind of treatment.
On the focus for the summit tagged “The Fight against Breast Cancer in Nigeria”, which will hold October 5-6, in Abuja, Prof. Durosinmi-Etti stated that the subject of breast cancer will be on the front burner again, because of its prevalence. He said, “Last year was about breast cancer and this year we are still focusing on it because it is a major problem especially for our women. Right now, breast cancer is about 26.6 per cent, while cervical cancer is about 23.2 per cent of all cancers we manage in Nigeria. We will also touch the issue of cervical cancer, but breast cancer is really the major focus.”
He added that the summit will also discuss treatment of advanced cancer, given that over 80 per cent of cancer cases in Nigeria today are in the advanced stage. “We are looking to see how we can increase awareness and educate the public on early detection because we believe that many forms of cancer are preventable and potentially ‘curable’, if detected on time,” he said.
The Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation (CEAFON) is a non-governmental organisation set up in 2015 by seasoned medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, industries, other stakeholders and concerned individuals to address the issues that surround cancer care in Nigeria.
