Of all the diseases plaguing mankind, cancer is one of the most deadly and difficult to treat. Infact, figures show its the second largest killer disease after heart attack. Largely considered a disease of rich, westernized nations, cancer has, however spread its tentacles to the developing world such as Nigeria and others that do not have the requisite health care delivery systems to combat the scourge. This lack of adequate medical facilities and infrastructure to treat the disease results in a high death toll among cancer patients in the country according to medical experts.
At a presentation in Lagos recently of the NSE Corporate challenge and National Cancer Week 2015, (as part of activities to mark the International Cancer Survivors Day worldwide which begins from the first Sunday in June every year), Dr Abia Nzelu, Executive Secretary, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) noted that seventy per cent of cancer deaths take place in poor countries, due to lack of infrastructure to deal with the problem. “Over 100,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually in Nigeria, out of which 80,000 die. This means that cancer kills 10 Nigerians every hour, with a death ratio of 4:5,” she said. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), she added, showed an increasing number of deaths from the commonest cancers. “Breast cancer now kills 40 Nigerian women daily (up from 30 in the 2010 report) whilst prostate cancer now kills 26 Nigerian men daily (up from 14 in the 2010 report). This represents about 35% increase in deaths from breast cancer, and almost 100% increase from prostate cancer, within four years,” Nzelu stated.
Throwing more light on this deadly ailment, Dr Rilwan Mohammed, Chairman, Primary Health Care Management Board, Abuja said: “Cancer is an abnormal proliferation of cells of a human body. It could be benign or malignant. When it is benign, then it cannot kill but when it is malignant, then it can kill by spreading across the other parts of the body.
“Cancer can be found in both women and men. The most common cancer in men is the cancer of the prostate and colon, and in women cancer of the breast, ovary and cervix. There are others but these are the most common ones.”
He attributed the increasing rate of the disease in the country to several factors including diet, lifestyle, genetics, environment among others. “In Nigeria, cancer is getting rampant because the lifestyles of most people are tending towards an increase in cancer risk; that is because, we are eating so much of refined foods, smoking cigarettes and drinking a lot of alcohol. Also, we are daily exposed more to heat, radiation and smoke. Combined with the foods we are eating which are mostly canned and processed, we should be expecting more cases as these are some of the things that lead to cancer. These are the high risk factors for cancer. At present, we are already having a large number of people with cancer and so many more are likely to be coming up with it soon, especially with the cigarette smokers,” Mohammed noted.
World’s most expensive ailment
Treating these cases is a herculean task because of the high cost of treatment and poor medical facilities. As Nzelu pointed out: “Cancer is the most expensive ailment in the world. Cancer’s economic toll (worldwide) was $1.16 trillion in 2010 (up from $895 billion in 2008, equivalent to 1.5 percent of the world’s GDP). Nigerians spend $200 million annually to seek treatment abroad while corporate organizations in Nigeria expend a lot of funds on treating preventable cancers among their employees every year.”
She disclosed that out of the staggering sum spent on treatment worldwide, only five percent of global resources for cancer are spent in developing countries. This inequality in global health, she lamented, was responsible for the high incidences of cancer-related deaths in the country. As she remarked: “Cancer hits the poor and vulnerable particularly hard, and drive them deeper into poverty. Worsening the situation is the fact that Nigeria’s health system is ill prepared to deal with the problem.” Consequently, she added, Nigeria has the twelfth lowest life expectancy in the world.
“Nigeria has no Mobile Cancer Centres, so most Nigerians have no access to basic cancer screening. In the absence of MCC, most Nigerians have no access to optimal cancer treatment,” she stated.
With a depressing scenario like this, it’s small wonder that medical experts are advocating prevention as the best cure for cancer. And this involves a total change in the way we eat, drink and the kind of environment we live in. They back up their stance on the fact that, countries that have a low incidence of cancer are those where the environment is largely unspoiled and where the food is simple and unrefined. In these countries or communities, highly processed food is not common and organic farming methods are still practised. They point out that cancer rates began to grow astronomically over the years with the use of harmful additives, insecticides, fungicides, colorings, irradiation and other dangerous chemicals in food and drinks.
Back to nature
A more natural diet, lifestyle and environment, experts believe would go a long way in curbing the cancer scourge. To Bolanle Tijani, Assist. Chief Dietitian, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH), with good, healthy diet, one can reduce the risk of getting cancer. “The kind of food encouraged is what I refer to as green, green, green! What I mean by this is that, when you are taking food, ensure that it is green! Avoid foods that are roasted or fried. Also avoid barbecued foods, make sure that most of the foods that you eat are fresh.,” she advised. Tijani also advocates a return to the past in the methods used in cooking and preparation of food.
“We are trying to encourage people to go back to the use of our former pots, cooking utensils that were used in those days; pots made from mud or clay (earthenware) are more heathy. But the problem with that, it may not look civilized especially when friends come calling, but the truth is that, these pots are believed to be more healthy in using to cook,” Tijani noted.
Speaking further, the dietician said: “As a lifestyle, everyone should eat protein and carbohydrates and avoid fatty foods, but most of all, we encourage more of fibre. For cancer patients, eating of fibre is very important for quick recovery, as they serve as anti oxidants for the eradication of the cancer cells. Foods such as water melon, oranges, banana, water leaf, apple and so on should be eaten. It is difficult to totally avoid particular foods, we don’t even advice it. It is only that smaller quantities are recommended.”
A collective fight
Prevention, to health experts should not be left to the authorities alone but should be the collective responsible of all. Mohammed, who supports this view remarked: “While it is urgent that government should curb the increase of cancer in the country, it should however be realised and noted that, the issue of cancer is best checkmated by prevention. And this can be done best by the people themselves who must have the right judgement to avoid things that can lead them to having cancer.
A faraway issue which is also indirectly related is for people to avoid many sexual partners. That is because there is also what is called primary prevention. Women if they must have many sexual partners must ensure that condom is used.”
“A lot also has to do with early detection and not allowing the cancer to spread across the other parts of the body. It is also pertinent that once a woman notices any lump in her breast, she should go for a check up to ascertain what it is because cancer is best taken care of, when detected early.”
For those who work in factories and other environments with high chemical content, he advised: “Prevention also includes for those who work in factories and industrial organizations to close early from their work place. Eight hours for instance is long but okay, because of the inhaling of dust and chemicals that can silently be damaging parts of the body. If there is a lump in your breast, go and remove it, that is primary prevention (mammography or breast examination).
“For those who already have cancer, they can survive for the next five years or so. A cancer victim needs to be rehabilitated and also assisted with therapy, involve them with exercises, social rehabilitation. It is sad to see that when people have cancer, they are avoided. It is sad. It shouldn’t be so. They need to be encouraged at that point.
“Treatment of cancer is expensive; it involves radiotherapy for the malignant cancer for instance. The place has to be sealed from radiation. Another kind of treatment is to remove the area that is affected, and then the use of drugs. The treatment is very important in order to avoid the spread of the cancer to other areas of the body. If not treated, it will spread round the body, to the organs, kidney, gizzard, lungs and after that, you cannot do anything about it again.”
Adding to this, Tijani stated: “Eating habits and lifestyle will determine whether a person is likely to get cancer or not. To women, I will advice that they eat healthily and avoid alcohol and environments that are stuffy or congested. That is a challenge in cities such as Lagos where (vehicular) fumes are all over the place. Even in traffic when you have your air conditioner on, the fumes from other vehicles still find a way of getting in. Exercise is very good for the body, at least do it for an hour everyday. These are healthy lifestyle changes that can make one avoid cancer. Then reduce your alcohol intake, do not take alcohol as if you are drinking water.”
TheNation
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