By Patrick Omoake and Collins Odigie Ojiehanor
With about 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million deaths recorded worldwide in 2020, according to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer has become one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century.
As the world marks World Cancer Day on February 4, new global estimates underscore the scale of a disease that is no longer confined to any age group, income level, or geography.
In Nigeria, where late diagnosis and limited access to care remain widespread, the crisis is increasingly visible among younger populations, prompting growing calls from youth, health experts, and advocates for earlier prevention, routine screening, and more equitable access to cancer services under this year’s World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique”.
Understanding Cancer: More Than One Disease
Cancer is not a single illness but a complex group of diseases characterised by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. It can develop in nearly any part of the body and is driven by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Research shows there are over 100 different types of cancer, classified based on where they start in the body and the type of cells involved. Common examples include breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Cancer risk increases with age, family history, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), and exposure to environmental pollutants.
Symptoms vary depending on cancer type but commonly include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, unusual lumps, prolonged pain, or changes in the skin.
In Nigeria, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, often presenting as a painless lump or abnormal nipple discharge. Yet many patients seek medical care only after the disease has advanced.
Health experts consistently emphasise that early detection significantly improves survival outcomes, making screening tools such as mammograms, Pap smears, and HPV testing vital, life-saving interventions.
However, fear, stigma, misinformation, and limited access to screening services continue to delay diagnosis. For many Nigerians, awareness exists without access, leaving early detection out of reach.
Nigeria’s Cancer Reality
In Nigeria, the situation is particularly concerning, with approximately 127,000 new cases and 79,000 cancer-related deaths reported in 2022, according to the National Cancer Registry of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Breast and cervical cancers are the most common among women, while prostate and liver cancers dominate among men.
Access to cancer care remains uneven across the country. Limited diagnostic centers, high treatment costs, few radiotherapy machines, low health insurance coverage, and persistent stigma all contribute to delayed care.
For many families, the financial burden of cancer treatment can be devastating, often leading to treatment abandonment.
Africa’s Cancer Emergency: WHO Raises the Alarm
The growing concern is echoed at the continental level. According to Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, cancer is no longer a silent crisis on the continent but a rapidly escalating public health emergency.
“Cancer is no longer a silent crisis in Africa. It is a growing public health emergency that demands urgent, equitable and sustained action,” Janabi said in a message marking World Cancer Day.
He noted that cancer is becoming one of the leading causes of premature death in the WHO African Region, with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year and nearly one million deaths annually.
Behind these statistics, he said, are mothers, fathers, children, and young people whose lives are being cut short not because solutions do not exist, but because access to those solutions remains unequal.
Janabi stressed that cancer is not only a health issue but also a development challenge that strains families, weakens health systems, and undermines economic progress. He warned that the burden falls disproportionately on those with the least access to early detection, timely treatment, and financial protection.
While acknowledging progress made over the past year, including the expansion of HPV vaccination, strengthened cervical cancer screening, improved childhood cancer care, and the integration of palliative care into routine services, he cautioned that major gaps persist.
Delayed diagnosis remains common, service interruptions continue to disrupt care, specialised health workers are in short supply, and access to radiotherapy, pathology services, and essential cancer medicines remains extremely limited in many settings. For too many families, he said, the cost of cancer care is catastrophic.
Youth Voices and Changing Perceptions
Younger Nigerians, in particular, are increasingly questioning the idea that cancer is a disease only of old age or affluence.
“People think cancer is for old people or rich people. But it’s everywhere. We need to talk about it openly, especially among young people,” said Amina Musa, a public health student.
Public health advocates warn that such misconceptions can be dangerous, especially as lifestyle and environmental risks become more common among youth. Daily choices related to food, alcohol, tobacco, and exposure to polluted air are already shaping future cancer risks.
“Young people need to understand that what we eat, drink, and inhale today matters. Smoking, alcohol, and even air pollution are real cancer risks, not future problems,” said Susan Oreoluwa, a private sector worker.
Beyond awareness, youth leaders argue that prevention efforts must be deliberate and inclusive, reaching people early rather than waiting until disease develops.
“Cancer conversations shouldn’t be limited to older people. We need screening in schools, youth centres, and workplaces. Prevention has to start early,” said Oluwaseun Daniel, a youth advocate.
“With young people making up the majority of the population in Nigeria, integrating youth-focused education, screening, and prevention could significantly reduce future cancer burden,” he added.
From Awareness to Action
World Cancer Day serves as more than a symbolic observance; it is a global call to action. Reducing cancer deaths requires stronger health systems, equitable access to screening and treatment, sustained research investment, and community-level education that addresses stigma and misinformation.
Organisations such as the Nigerian Cancer Society continue to promote awareness, support patients, and advocate for improved access to care.
There is also growing attention on palliative care, aimed at improving quality of life for patients with advanced disease and providing relief from pain and emotional distress.
The theme “United by Unique” reminds the world that while cancer journeys differ, collective action can drive meaningful change. Whether through early screening, lifestyle choices, policy advocacy, research funding, or support for patients and caregivers, every effort matters.
As the world unites against cancer, the challenge is clear: awareness must translate into action, and action into survival.
With sustained commitment and collaboration, cancer can move from a silent killer to a manageable disease in Nigeria, across Africa, and beyond.