Cancer no longer a death sentence with advances in technology — Pate

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, says cancer is no longer a death sentence, saying that advances in technology has aided treatment and care for patients.

The minister made the assertion at the opening ceremony of the 2024 International Cancer Week (ICW) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The week has the theme: ‘Accelerating Nigeria’s Path to Comprehensive Cancer Control: Innovation, Access and Partnership’

According to Pate, due to genomics, advances in the technology of developing interventions and precision medicine, there is the possibility that an increasing number of cancers would be curable.

He, however, said that it was not over yet, adding that even with technological advancements, cancer now stood as the fastest growing Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) in Nigeria.

“We don’t have the luxury of waiting until more people have cancer to deal with it. We don’t have the resources, the infrastructure, and the equipment.

“As we celebrate the Cancer Week, we have to reflect on what we can do on the prevention side, the screening side, on treatment, rehabilitation, the research and development side,” he said.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s committed to ensuring that the transformation being embarked on to turn the tide was built on sound science, research and development.

The minister added that President Bola Tinubu, early in the year, approved the establishment of six major cancer infrastructure and equipment to ease the burden on patients.

“Two of those six will be commissioned by May 2025 and the rest will follow, we’re also expanding the diagnostic centers and rebuilding the oncology workforce across the spectrum,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to focus on taking steps to prevent the disease by getting screened regularly.

The occasion also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) and Roche Products Limited on the ‘Nigeria Breast Cancer Ambition’.

Speaking about the MoU, the General Manager of Roche, Dr Ladi Hameed, said that the MOU would strengthen diagnostic capabilities.

“By the end of 2025, we’ll have six centers with immunohistochemistry diagnostic tools, allowing tailored treatments for specific cancer types.

“This is essential, as the era of one-size-fits-all treatment for cancer is behind us. Genomic testing is now capable of informing patients precisely about their cancer type and corresponding treatment.”

He said that the MoU also placed a strong emphasis on cancer prevention through routine screening for early detection, adding that “awareness and accurate diagnosis are key”.

“By the end of 2025, we will have at least six centers that have immunohistochemistry diagnosis that can tell a breast cancer patient what exact type of cancer she has.

“There is genomic testing that can tell a patient what type of cancer he or she has and what drugs are needed.”

The Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu, said that the aim of ICW was to foster the adoption of innovative technologies in cancer care and promote comprehensive training for health professionals.

“It will also aid in advocating for the expansion and modernisation of cancer care facilities and encourage the implementation of comprehensive programs to support cancer survivors,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ICW would end on Friday.