Group Calls For Strong Cancer Prevention Mechanism To Avert Deaths.
By Ferdinand Olise
The Project PINK BLUE Health and Psychological Trust Centre has called on the Federal Government to establish a national cancer screening program to improve early cancer detection which can save lives.
The organisation made the call in Abuja on Saturday while commemorating the 2026 World Cancer Day.
While stating the need to prevent deaths from cancer, importance of early detection, prevention and treatment, the Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, Mr Runcie C.W. Chidebe, underscored the urgent need for the establishment of cancer centers around the country.
He said, “Painfully, we are all blaming the patients for late detection. It is unfair. We must stop blaming the cancer patients and start blaming the healthcare system. If we want to reduce cancer death and increase early detection, we must create a system that propels early detection.
“The Federal Government should implement an organised national cancer screening program. Presently, Nigeria does not have a national and organised cancer screening program; what we have is sporadic screenings-happening here and there. A national screening program will require public hospitals to provide clinical breast exams”.
Speaking in Abuja while commemorating the 2026 Word Cancer Day, the Programme Associate of Project PINK BLUE, Ms. Faridah M. Banwo, raised an alarm over the outrageous cost of cancer medication in Nigeria and therefore urged the Federal Government to establish a national cancer screening centre.
“We are using this World Cancer Day commemoration with the theme United by Unique to spotlight the salient unique issues faced by Nigerian cancer patients. Today, several patients are considering whether to buy food and eat or to buy their cancer medication, and cancer patients are borrowing money to purchase their chemotherapy. Family caregivers are selling properties to be able to get their relative with cancer to access radiotherapy”, she said.
She also called on the National Assembly to increase the budgetary allocation for the Cancer Health Fund, emphasizing that the deaths from cancer occurs due to multiple system barriers in Nigeria’s healthcare system which includes a limited oncology workforce, poverty, late detection, poor survivorship, poor access to travel, among others.
“In Nigeria, 127,763 new cases of cancer and 79,542 deaths were recorded in 2022. Painfully, about 62% of Nigerians diagnosed with cancer died of the disease. This means roughly 62 out of every 100 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer in 2022 died from the disease.
The organisation also called on State governments to set up cancer health and trust funds to support indigent cancer patients, stating that cancer patients go through a lot of pains and challenges all because they cannot access the care that they need.
Meanwhile, a cancer Survivor, Mr Fortune Osilom, urged for kindness towards cancer patients.
He said, “The process is tedious. It’s very, very strenuous because I’ve been there. I’ve been in the shoes, little words of encouragement can go a long way. You don’t have to stigmatize anybody, because it’s not just having the sickness alone, getting the drugs is very difficult. For those who have not checked if they have, we don’t pray, but it’s better you check your health, go for regular checkup”.
Also, the General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Mr Martin Zarybnicky, emphasised the importance of strong collaborations in awareness campaign against cancer so as to save lives, as well as supports from corporates Organisation to nip cancer in the bud.
Highpoint of the event was a 5km walk, 20km cycling, and 10km run against cancer.
Also, few Journalists were honoured with an Outstanding Journalists Award for their outstanding dedication and service to humanity through impactful journalism in cancer prevention and control.
Project PINK BLUE is a cancer organisation engaged in cancer awareness, patient navigation, advocacy, cancer research, and psychological support.
