28 Nigerian women die from cervical cancer daily — Expert

Professor Adegboyega Fawole of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin, on Friday, revealed that no fewer than 28 Nigerian women die from cervical cancer daily.

Fawole, while delivering the 231st edition in the series of Inaugural Lectures at the university, said unless “the nation’s health is tailored towards a proactive approach, rather than its reactionary system at present, the rate of death due to the disease might continue to be on the increase.”

Addressing an audience including the Oluwo of Iwo Osun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishiaq Oloyede, among others, he said cure of the disease has not been found, but early detection through relevant medical tests could reduce the risk factors in women.

Fawole spoke on: ‘Reversing Nigerian Women’s Poor Health Indices: Challenges And Prospects.’

He said: “The Cervical Cancer specific profile shows that our female population is 99.1million, the Crude Cervical Cancer incidence per 100,000 women in the year 2020 was 11.9 and the Cumulative Risk of cervical cancer, ages 0-74 (2020) was 1.9 per cent. The summary of this is that everyday, about 28 Nigerian women die from cervical cancer.”

He added that the projected number of lives saved per year, concomitant reduction in deaths from cancer related deaths, increases with the level of investment in the package of essential services and scaling up by the country.

Fawole noted, “out investments into the three level of care proposed to eliminate Cervical Cancer, from the society has been low. On primary prevention, (90 per cent of girls to be fully vaccinated with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine by the age of 15) is yet to be included in the national immunisation schedule.

“On secondary prevention, 70 per cent of women are screened with a high-performance text by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age. Only one in 10 women (11 per cent) have been screened for Cervical Cancer in the last 5 years.

On the third level treatment and supportive care, (90 per cent of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment). Nigeria is yet to join the fight against cancer if the cervix, the WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Targets for 2030 appears far! Our health indices have not improved much in the past many years.”

Speaking on the HPV vaccines, the don explained that the vaccines only work to prevent HPV infection but would not treat an infection that is already present in the body.

He suggested therefore that the HPV vaccine should be given before a person becomes exposed to HPV (such as through sexual activity) to bring out its efficacy.

He added, “HPV vaccination of children between the ages of 9 and 12 and children and young adults age 13 through 26. Vaccination of young adults will not prevent as many cancers as vaccination of children and teens.”

Fawole said the issue of health should not be the exclusive rights of the government, just as he canvassed economic empowerment for Nigerians and more of girl child education.

He suggested more population coverage of the Federal Government pilot Health Insurance Scheme and provision of Radiotherapy Centre at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin for a holistic cancer care.

He urged the government to provide more incentives to Nigerians, who though qualified, emigrate out of the country for greener pastures, but refused to do so, due to their patriotism.