•Radiation oncologist says situation deserves institution of emergency response, proffers solutions Ifeoma Okoye is a Professor of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu , Enugu State.
In the views of Nzelu, 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in developing nations like Nigeria due to lack of access to optimal care. Nigeria is currently estimated to have 233,911 cancer cases, with 124,815 new cases and 78,899 cancer deaths, yearly! Tobacco and alcohol abuse, are amongst the commonest substance abuse, amongst young adults in Nigeria! E-cigarette and Sisha are becoming very popular amongst the ‘upwardly mobile’ middle/high income population.
Vehicular fumes and Industrial fumes contribute seriously to environmental air pollution in Nigeria. Last year, the World Bank reported that 94 per cent of the population in Nigeria is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines and air pollution damage costs about one per cent post of Gross National Income .
Agriculture, telecoms and oil are all driving this growth at a certain environmental cost. All these leave our lungs in a permanent state of inflammation and could possibly increase risk of coming down with serious complications of COVID-19. Some significant inroads being made to abate and ameliorate out of pocket payment for cancer care include: Cancer Health Fund , Drug Access Initiative, Chemo-Safe, National Health Insurance Act treatment packages for cancer patients.
Personally, I attribute this appalling high death rates to; poor health seeking behaviour, denial , superstition, conviction that it is not a disease but diabolical, evil arrow, punishment of the gods, something to be ashamed of because it involves the sexual/genital areas … breast, cervix, prostate … fear of stigmatisation, brutal withdrawal of support by male spouses, fear of out of pocket payment of bills, poverty of pocket and poverty of health information, prolonged appointments , which...
Food additives/ sharp practices in food production and manufacture & handling! Examples are ripening agents like carbide used by sellers of fruits to ripen fruits such as banana, pawpaw, mangoes, etc.