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Bladder cancer in Nigeria: Why snails matter (2)

By Abia Nzelu
14 July 2015   |   11:00 pm
Continued from yesterday ACCORDING to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Egypt, with the control of schistosomiasis in Egypt, the frequency of bladder cancer dropped over a period of 10–15 years. In late 1980s and early 1990s, bladder cancer accounted for about 27% of all cancers seen at the NCI. In more recent…
PHOTO:squarespace.com

PHOTO:squarespace.com

Continued from yesterday
ACCORDING to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Egypt, with the control of schistosomiasis in Egypt, the frequency of bladder cancer dropped over a period of 10–15 years. In late 1980s and early 1990s, bladder cancer accounted for about 27% of all cancers seen at the NCI. In more recent years, the data of the population based National Cancer registry in Egypt, showed a frequency rate range of less than 10%. Clearly, changes in the incidence of schistosomiasis reflect on the changing incidence of bladder cancer.

In Nigeria, the Mobile Cancer Centre (MCC) being championed by the CECP would be an excellent means of taking health education, screening as well as the Praziquantel therapy to the grassroots, thereby improving the coverage of praziquantel in Nigeria, and reducing the devastating effect of schistosomiasis especially bladder cancer.

An MCC is much more than a Mobile Mammogram. Rather, it is a clinic on wheels, in which screening, follow-up and treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It includes facilities for mammography, sonology, colonoscopy, colposcopy and cryotherapy, as well as a surgical theatre. It is also equipped with a laboratory for screening against most common diseases, including the 10 major cancer-related killer diseases (Diabetes, Renal Disease, Obesity, Malaria, Schistosomiasis, Helicobacter pylori, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hypertension). Thus, the MCC would tackle the double burden of disease, i.e. Communicable & Non-Communicable.

The MCC is perhaps the single most important means of raising the life expectancy of Nigeria which is currently the 12th lowest globally. Cancer and these 10 disease conditions are the main culprits responsible for this low life expectancy. A single MCC in a state of Nigeria could make a huge positive difference. That state would be divided into smaller units such that every community would be reached by the MCC at least once a year.

The cost of one MCC is $600,000 only (about N120, 000,000 at the current exchange rate) and its operational cost for one year (including cost of personnel, supplies and maintenance) is $685,000.

To actualize its vision, the CECP is involved in a fund-raising campaign, known as the #GivingTide. A highpoint of the #GivingTide is the National Cancer Week (NCW). At the just concluded Banquet Of Stars Against Cancer 2015, the climax of the NCW), the Lagos State Governor, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, FCA, dedicated his birthday to the Big War Against Cancer, thus setting the tone for the CECP MoreLife initiative.

MoreLife is a subtheme of #GivingTide, aimed at encouraging the use of individual and corporate milestones to promote the focal cause of CECP. These milestones include birthdays, wedding anniversaries, memorials or corporate annual general meetings/corporate anniversaries.

‘MoreLife’ is so-named because the event is an opportunity for the celebrant/honouree to add life to the less privileged in society in gratitude for one more year added to his/her life. Everyone is encouraged to enlist as a MoreLifer in support of the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria. Further information on the MoreLife initiative could be obtained at www.givingtide.org.

“By moving forward together we have the potential to show Cancer: It is not beyond us.”- UICC 2015.

•Concluded
•Dr. Nzelu (Executive Secretary, CECP-Nigeria) can be reached via info@cecpng.org or info@givingtide.org

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