Health
A Clinical Pathologist, Dr Wale Olusanya, has advocated the establishment of more laboratories, equipped with modern and effective cancer diagnostic equipment to check incidences of cancer in the country.
Olusanya, who is the Centre Manager of Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre (BTHDC), made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that data from the Global Cancer Observatory shows that cancer is a major health challenge in the country, causing an estimated 78,899 deaths in 2020 and about 124,815 new cases diagnosed yearly.
He, however, added that more laboratory screening tests with appropriate devices could offer reliable results for prompt diagnoses, which could save lives and reduce patient’s hospitalisation.
The pathologist said accurate data from cancer screening could assist doctors to detect malignant cells before they spread to other parts of the body.
According to him, tests can reveal significant abnormalities in different body organs and help in monitoring the progression of cancerous cells for proper management.
He explained that a combination of imaging tests such as CT scan, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) would assist in the early detection of tumors, inflammation and other signs of cancer, especially in patients that are at a high risk.
He said “cancer treatment is more effective in the early stages. This is the reason why we need to bridge the gap in screening by establishing more laboratories that have modern equipment.
“We have the expertise and relevant diagnostic tools that use modern technology in screening. This aligns with our mission of enhancing patient care and safety.
“Our partnership with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has helped doctors to detect latent cancers at an early stage.
“This helps them in properly managing the disease and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body.
“For cancer survivors, these screening procedures help in identifying untreated cells and reoccurrences.”
Olusanya also said that the BTHDC was planning more partnerships to support hospitals in the treatment of cancer.
He added that to provide continued support to patients, BTHDC had been working with stakeholders to understand the challenges in cancer diagnosis.
The collaboration would assist to meet the needs of providing accurate data that would aid diagnosis and treatment for better outcomes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the BTHDC is a public-private partnership project between LASUTH and the PPC Healthcare, a leading innovative healthcare solutions provider. (NAN)
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Tags: Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre (BTHDC) Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Wale Olusanya
