The challenges of cancer treatment in Nigeria

Nearly every week, through our communication channels for this page, we receive anguished messages asking where to access different aspects of cancer care. Sometimes, the stories are heartbreaking. To a large extent, the difficulties associated with cancer treatment in Nigeria are probably quite well known. Still, it is surprising that many more people do not even know where to start when confronted with the probability of such a diagnosis. Cancer treatment in Nigeria faces several significant challenges that affect prevention, diagnosis and patient outcomes. The most glaring problem facing affected patients remains the issue of late diagnosis, with many patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease due to several factors. Many of these diagnoses are made late because of certain cultural and religious beliefs that make people rely more on traditional healers than modern diagnostic facilities.