A Consultant Anatomic Pathologist, Prof. Charles Anunobi, on Tuesday urged the three tiers of government to subsidise the cost of treatment of prostate cancer in Nigeria.

Anunobi made the plea at the 4th Annual National Conference organised by the Society for Cellular Pathology Scientists of Nigeria (SCPSN) in Lagos.

He said that the cost of prostate cancer was borne mostly by the patients most of whom were economically impoverished.

“Prostate cancer remains the most common male cancer in Nigeria and its treatment is very costly.

“Prostate cancer is an important national public health issue in Nigeria which needs urgent attention and interventions.

“The unquantifiable economic burden will also include impact of the physical and mental suffering, both patients and relatives endure during prostate cancer diagnosis and follow up.

“Usually, a sizeable proportion of the costs for prostate cancer are incurred in the first year after diagnosis,” Anunobi said.

According to the expert, management of prostate cancer is expensive with increasing life expectancy as more men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“The economic burden of prostate cancer in Nigeria will also continue to rise due to increasing awareness of the disease.

“Per patient cost depend on cancer stage at diagnosis, survival and choice of treatment.

“To prevent prostate cancer is to live a healthy lifestyle such as eating vegetables, fruits, drinking water and regular exercise.”

In his remarks, Prof. Godwin Avwioro, National President, Society for Cellular Pathology Scientists of Nigeria, said that

cancer has become a major health challenge in the world.

“In Nigeria, the health sector is well funded to combat cancer and other diseases, but it has some challenges.

“The major challenges are poor management of human resources and financial irresponsibility.

“Unless these issues are addressed, we will not achieve health for all in Nigeria; patients will continue to travel outside the country.

“Governments need to rejig the entire management system of our hospitals by including other health professionals.

“Every professional group is important and should be recognised and given opportunities to exhibit the potential in them,” Avwioro said.

Also, Mr Daniel Osiagwu of SCPSN, Lagos chapter, described cancer as a worldwide problem that affects everyone, whether directly or indirectly.

Osiagwu said that the pains and economic burden prostate cancer brought on the family could not be overemphasised.

“During the 2017 World Cancer Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that over 8.8 million cancer deaths were recorded yearly globally.

“Out of this, an estimated 80,000 are Nigerians, averaging 240 Nigerians every day or 10 Nigerians every hour.

“People may not understand the impact of prostate cancer on Nigerian men. It is the most commonly registered cancer among men.

“Unlike breast and cervical cancers, prostate cancer is not widely reported or talked about; this may be because of men’s pride, they want to keep it secret, even to their wives.

“When prostate cancer affects the man of the house, it affects everything and everyone in that household, especially our mothers, wives, sisters and children,” he said. (NAN)

– Jul. 24, 2018 @ 17:05 GMT |