The minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says that many prostate cancer cases in Nigeria present late to facilities, due to inadequate awareness and routine screening programmes and misdiagnosis in early stages.
The minister who stated this at the flag off and press conference of international registry to improve outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer in Nigeria, IROMAN, said the incidence of cancer of all types has assumed alarming dimensions globally, including Nigeria where cancer data shows there is a total of one hundred and fifteen thousand, nine hundred and fifty cancer cases and seventy thousand, three hundred and seventy two cancer related deaths in Nigeria in 2018.
According to the minister, prostate cancer is the commonest type of cancer among Nigerian men and it is also known to be more common in men of African stock than the European stocks.
The minister noted that the project which intends to document the occurrence of prostate cancer and monitor outcomes, is welcome as Nigeria has a robust system of cancer registration currently being managed by the Nigeria National System of Cancer Registries, and operational in almost all centers that had been chosen to pilot the project.
He expressed optimism that the project will strengthen the activities of the cancer registries and commended the sponsors of the international registry, for working to ensure that the project succeeds, and urged them to strive to improve outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer in Nigeria.
Dr. Osagie said the project which will be executed alongside South Africa, is expected to run till 2029 and hoped that before the expiration of the project, the story of prostate cancer survivors will change for the better, as the programme meets its objectives.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health welcomes scientific programs that enhance and improve the health system and assured the sponsors of government’s support to actualize the objectives of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium.
