By Uzairu Dauda:
Cancer has been identified as the leading cause of mortality among women in Nigeria.
The National Secretary of the Cancer Awareness committee, Professor Sani Malami made the assertion during the World Cancer Day 2026 event organized by the Alheri YS Foundation at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).
He expressed deep concern over what he described as the nonchalant attitude of governments at all levels toward combating cancer in Nigeria.
According to Professor Malami, inadequate manpower for cancer data collection and insufficient facilities for treatment across the country have continued to hamper effective cancer control.
Professor Malami, however, commended the Alheri YS Foundation for organizing the awareness programme, describing it as a critical step toward finding sustainable solutions to cancer eradication in society.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Alheri YS Foundation, Mrs. Alheri Yusuf, stressed that cancer control and eradication require collective effort and collaboration among all stakeholders.
She explained that the seminar was organized to enable professionals to share expertise and strengthen strategies for dealing with cancer-related diseases.
Mrs. Yusuf revealed that the foundation has conducted free medical outreach and cancer awareness campaigns, benefiting over 10,000 people.
According to her, the foundation also organizes monthly blood donation exercises to support cancer patients and provides assistance to children battling cancer.
Mrs. Yusuf further disclosed that in the month of February, the foundation plans to conduct free cancer screenings for 1,000 men for prostate cancer, 1,000 women for breast cancer, and 1,000 girls for cervical cancer across Duguri, Darazo, Misau, and Toro communities.
Delivering a paper at the event, Dr. Sulaiman Dauda described cancer as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, noting that Nigeria is experiencing a worrying rise in cases.
He warned that if not properly controlled, cancer can invade healthy tissues, cause severe illness, and lead to death.
Dr. Dauda emphasized that many cancers are preventable and some are curable if detected early and treated promptly, urging both men and women to report any suspicious signs or symptoms to health facilities without delay.
He added that cancer data are being collected through registries to aid analysis and policy action, noting that GLOBOCAN 2022 reported 137,763 new cancer cases in Nigeria, with 79,542 deaths recorded nationwide.
