A health ministry official announced that children represent 7.2% of Nigeria’s annual cancer cases, totaling 127,000. Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for improving survival rates. The Akanimo Cancer Foundation, founded by Mrs. Idara Ekanem after losing her son to cancer, advocates for increased awareness and support for childhood cancer treatment in Nigeria.
Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, the National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reported that children constitute 7.2% of the annual 127,000 cancer cases in Nigeria. This statistic was shared during an awareness event for the upcoming International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), organized by the Akanimo Cancer Foundation in Abuja. The ICCD, observed worldwide on February 15, aims to enhance awareness and support for children and adolescents afflicted by cancer, along with their families and survivors.
Nwokwu emphasized the critical importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to improve survival rates for children with cancer, which could reach up to 80%. He noted that the most prevalent childhood cancer is leukemia, highlighting that while adults can also develop this illness, it is the fourth most common cancer among them. He further explained that children generally exhibit better survival rates due to their robust physiological responses.
Plans are in progress to include childhood cancer in Nigeria’s Cancer Health Fund, which aims to provide financial aid for cancer treatment to ensure children receive the urgent care they need. Dr. Idorenyin Usoh, Abuja Coordinator of the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, underscored the necessity of heightened awareness and governmental support in addressing childhood cancer. She indicated that misdiagnoses occur often because medical practitioners and parents may not suspect cancer initially, delaying vital treatment.
The organization’s founder, Mrs. Idara Ekanem, started the Akanimo Cancer Foundation after her son, Akanimo, succumbed to cancer. She revealed that the foundation invests in research for more effective treatments and strives to elevate awareness of childhood cancer across Nigeria. Ekanem also highlighted the economic barriers families confront, often unable to afford basic diagnostic procedures.
To mitigate these issues, the foundation covers all treatment-related costs, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and medication, providing affected children with improved chances of survival. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have praised the foundation for its efforts in raising awareness regarding childhood cancer, an area historically overlooked in the cancer discourse.
In summary, childhood cancer represents a significant concern in Nigeria, with 7.2% of annual cancer cases occurring in children. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, potentially increasing survival rates dramatically. The Akanimo Cancer Foundation plays a vital role in addressing this challenge by providing financial support and raising awareness. Increased governmental intervention and public awareness are essential for improving childhood cancer outcomes in Nigeria.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
