The Federal Ministry of Health says it has recorded a total of 115, 950 cancer cases and 70, 372 cancer related deaths in Nigeria in 2018 based on data from their cancer Registries.
The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire disclosed this on Thursday at the flag off of the International Registry to improve outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer in Nigeria (IROMAN).
According to the Minister, the incidence of Cancer of all types has assumed alarming dimensions globally, noting that Prostate cancer is the commonest type of cancer known to be more common in men of African stock than of European stock.
He said, unfortunately, many prostate cancer cases in Nigeria present late to facilities, due to inadequate awareness and routine screening programs and misdiagnosis in early stages.
Dr. Ehanire added that a project of this nature that is intended to document the occurrence of prostate cancer and monitor outcomes, is a welcomed development.
He said Nigeria has a robust system of cancer registration currently being managed by the Nigeria National System of Cancer Registries, which is operational in almost all centers.
He expressed optimisim that the project will strengthen the activities of the Cancer Registries and hoped that before the expiration of the project, the story of prostate cancer survivors will change for the better, as the programme meets its objectives.
The Minister further said that the Federal Ministry of Health welcomes scientific programs that enhance and improve the health system; assuring of government support to actualize the objectives of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium.
The project is reportedly sponsored by the International Registry, the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium (PCCTC), the National Principal Investigator, the zonal coordinator of Transatlantic Prostate Cancer Consortium (CaPTC) and others
The project which is expected to run till 2029, also has South Africa participating in it.
