An oncologist, Kunle Odunsi, has emphasised the need to develop a standard infrastructure for cancer treatment in Nigeria and ensure the availability of quality drugs to tackle the country’s growing cancer burden.

Odunsi, who is also Director of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, said the cancer landscape is changing rapidly, noting that the development of precision drugs based on patients’ genetic profiles has transformed cancer care globally.

According to him, cancer is no longer a death sentence.

Speaking at a public lecture, induction of new fellows and the public opening of the NAS-T.Y. Danjuma Science Museum and Library organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja, Odunsi noted that one in four people will develop cancer in their lifetime, stressing that cancer is preventable and that early intervention improves the chances of cure.

He said, “About one in four people will develop cancer in their lifetime, that is what the statistics show. You will find that the older one gets, the higher the chances. Most cancers develop in older people, but nowadays we are seeing many cancers develop in younger people.

“This is where genetics becomes very important, for us to know who is at risk, so we can put them under intense surveillance and, if possible, intercept before the cancer spreads too much.”

Speaking on the theme, “Redefining cancer care in the era of immunotherapy and precision oncology: Implications for research, treatment and policy in Nigeria,” the don emphasised the importance of prevention and improved treatment options in addressing cancer.

According to him, although prevention remains the first line of defence, some people will still develop the disease, making effective treatment essential.

He noted that while standard treatment options exist, they remain expensive and beyond the reach of many patients, making access to quality cancer care a major challenge in the country.

“There are standard treatment options, which right now are very expensive and difficult for many patients to afford. There is very little infrastructure, for example, for radiation therapies. There are only about 10 radiation therapy centres in Nigeria, and that is insufficient for the population and size of this country.

“We need to develop infrastructure, and then we need to make sure drugs are available, whether chemotherapy drugs or newer precision medicines.

“But more importantly, the field is changing very rapidly. There are new drugs called precision drugs that are based on a patient’s genetic profile. So having cancer is no longer a death sentence.

“In fact, in the United States, survival from cancer has improved significantly. There are some cancers where we see almost 100 per cent cure. Some cancers are still difficult, but there is tremendous progress going on. Nigeria should not be left behind as this progress in cancer care continues to evolve,” he said.

On screening and early detection, Odunsi, who is also the AbbVie Foundation Distinguished Service Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Chicago, said screening methods vary depending on the type of cancer.

According to him, colon cancer screening through colonoscopy is recommended from around age 50 and should be repeated every 10 years, while individuals at higher risk may require more frequent screening.

“Pap smear screening should be performed for women. Mammography should begin around the ages of 40 to 45 and be done annually. Men also need screening for prostate cancer through clinical examination or blood tests, which are more precise.

“There are screening tests for some of the most common cancers affecting men and women. If we do these things, we can prevent cancer from spreading, detect it early and provide better chances of a cure,” he added.

In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Abubakar Sambo, said the newly opened museum and library would serve as a useful resource for strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education in Nigeria.

According to him, the facility has officially been opened to the public, although efforts are ongoing to fully populate it with exhibits.

“We have started populating it with historical items regarding science and development in our country. What we have is a very good starting point, but it will continue to expand,” he said.

On the induction of new fellows into the academy, Sambo said they were expected to uphold the academy’s mandate of promoting science and technology in Nigeria.

“The new fellows are expected to uphold our rules and regulations, which are aimed at promoting scientific culture at the highest level in Nigeria. We encourage Nigerians, especially the youth, to embrace science and technology and advise authorities to prioritise science and technology projects, particularly in the education sector,” he added.

The newly inducted fellows are Omotayo Arotiba, Festus Okoye, Olufunmilayo Fawole, Kemi Amodu, Meka Oguzie, Martins Emeje, Ibrahim Abubakar and Muktar Aliyu.