Feasible Cancer Control Strategies for Nigeria: Mini-Review

Abstract

Globally the incidence of cancer is rising. In 2007 there were 11 million cancer cases, 7 million cancer deaths and 25 million people living with cancer. This is estimated to increase to 27 million cases, 17 million deaths and 75million people living with cancer in 2050. More than 50% of these cases occur in developing countries where cancer is the second most common cause of death. It constitutes 12% of all deaths (after cardiovascular disease); killing more people than HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined. Cancers are emerging public health problems in developing countries like Nigeria, where they were previously considered rare. However the epidemiological shift and ageing population make cancers a challenge. The number of new cancer cases which was initially estimated to be 100,000 per annum increased to about 500,000 in 2010. WHO (2008) estimates that incidence of cancer in Nigerian men and women by 2020 will be 90.7/100,000 and 100.9/100,000; and the deaths rates 72.7/100,000 and 76,000/100,000 respectively. The commonest cancers of Nigerian men are cancers of prostate, liver and lymphomas while cancer of cervix and breasts are commonest in the women. Currently, Nigeria has no national policy or a comprehensive document on cancer control. There is no organized national program for cancer prevention. Moreover, control of reproductive cancers is rather mentioned in the National policy on Reproductive Health and Strategic Framework. The prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) may occur within the context of the national program for control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV.