Mr. Tokbish Yohanna, the Coordinator, Civil Society for Cancer Eradication (CIS-ANEN) in Plateau, on Tuesday said early detection was key to tackling the rising cases of cancer.
Yohanna spoke during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mohammed Nazif, in Jos.
He said this was why medical experts had been advocating early detection, timely screening, regular awareness, treatment and vaccination as major interventions against the disease.
“If cancer is detected early, it can be effectively managed.
“We advocate regular screening, and such screening and advocacy should be extended to those at the grassroots since cancer knows no boundaries,” he said.
Yohanna said research had shown that cancer killed more people than HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), he said that in Nigeria, 500,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed yearly.
“In Plateau, statistics from the Jos University Teaching Hospital from 1987 till 2014 show that 6,915 cases have been detected with an estimated annual rate of 256.
“There were 2,891 cases in male and 4,024 cases in females,” Yohanna said.
He said that high rate of smoking amongst youths, persistent and indiscriminate consumption of illicit drinks and substances were some of the contributing factors to rising cases of cancer.
Yohanna appealed to the commissioner to create cancer awareness in all the 17 local government areas of the state.
In his remarks, the commissioner assured the group of his ministry’s unflinching support toward creating awareness and advocacy for early screening.