The Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) has raised the alarm about the high cost of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, which significantly restricts access to specialised care and leads to delayed or foregone care for patients without health insurance in the country.
The founder and former First Lady of Ondo State, Dr Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, who sounded the alarm, told The Guardian that Nigeria has one of the worst breast cancer outcomes globally, with a mortality rate of 6.23 per 100,000.
According to her, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nigeria, accounting for 49.75 per cent of all cancer cases in females aged 15-39 years.
Akeredolu observed that Nigeria faces significant gaps in cancer diagnosis and treatment due to limited infrastructure such as mammography units, insufficient radiotherapy machines, shortage of specialised healthcare professionals, inadequate pathology services and restricted access to cancer medications.
She also decried the inadequate funding for cancer research and treatment, stressing that patients with breast cancer face numerous challenges, including the high cost of diagnosis and treatment, limited access to quality healthcare services, stigma and lack of social support, delayed diagnosis and treatment, inadequate pain management, psychological distress and financial hardship.
Akeredolu attributed the rising cases of breast cancer in Nigeria to genetic and environmental factors such as family history, radiation exposure, hormonal factors (early menarche, late menopause), obesity, physical inactivity and diet (high-fat, low-fibre).
She pointed out that alcohol consumption, smoking, and pesticides predispose women to breast cancer risk, adding that cultural and social stigma, poor health-seeking behaviour, late presentation and diagnosis contribute to the situation.
She said, “Early detection and treatment are crucial in reducing the burden of breast cancer as it improves survival rates, reduces morbidity, minimises disease progression, reduces long-term treatment costs and enhances quality of Life.”
To address these challenges, Akeredolu called for increased funding for healthcare infrastructure, enhanced workforce capacity, a national screening programme, and improved access to affordable healthcare services.
She explained that the essence of organising the breast /cervical cancer screening and awareness programmes was to diagnose, and detect cancer early, reduce mortality rates and disparities, educate women on risk factors and empower women to take charge of their health.
She noted that BRECAN has been playing a vital role in raising awareness to educate the public about breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection and has been collaborating with policymakers to influence healthcare policies and improve access to quality breast cancer care.
According to her, the association provides emotional support, counselling, and financial assistance to patients and their families and facilitates free or subsidised breast cancer screening programmes in the country.
She stated that BRECAN is partnering with healthcare institutions and researchers to improve breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and training of healthcare professionals to enhance breast cancer care.
“By working together, we can reduce the burden of breast cancer in Lagos State and Nigeria.”
We are galvanising action against breast cancer through sustained public education, patient support, advocacy and Research. BRECAN is on a mission to eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease in Nigeria towards attaining a healthier society.
“The vision is to build a society where everyone stands the chance to survive breast cancer and our top priority is to educate women on what they can do to be proactive with their breast health,” Akeredolu said.
She urged the Federal Government to increase funding for breast cancer research, screening, and treatment programmes, provide subsidies or financial assistance for patients, improve healthcare infrastructure and access to quality care, ensure the availability of essential medicines and technologies, and develop and implement policies promoting early detection and treatment.
