Lakeshore Cancer Center (LCC), the first operational facility in Nigeria that is solely dedicated to the prevention and treatment of cancer, has been launched in Lagos.
With this launch, Lakeshore becomes the first institution in Nigeria dedicated solely to cancer care. The centre is envisioned to educate Nigerians on cancer prevention, promote early detection and establish a reputable option in Lagos for screening, diagnosis and treatment.
The new the cancer centre, located at 14 Amodu Tijani Close, Off Sanusi Fafunwa, Victoria Island, is affiliated with Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, USA, the oldest cancer centre in the world.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Chumy Nwogu, CEO/medical director of LCC, said “cancer is a rapidly growing global health problem. Data shows that cancer kills more people worldwide than malaria, HIV and TB combined, and low to middle income countries are disproportionately impacted. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1/3 of cancers can be prevented, 1/3 cured and 1/3 effectively palliated; hence, the great need for education, screening and early detection.”
Nwogu pointed out that in Nigeria, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2012 data), there were 102,079 new cancer cases per year and 71,571 cancer deaths annually. This is probably a marked under-estimation as cancer registration is really poor in Nigeria and many patients usually seek alternative treatments, traditional healers or prayer houses.
These numbers, he said, are predicted to rise dramatically over the next few years and the medical community is ill-equipped to deal with cancer as there is a paucity of oncologists of any kind (medical, surgical or radiation oncologists) and there are extremely limited facilities for screening, diagnosis, curative treatment or palliation of cancer cases.
“It is estimated that 25,000 to 30,000 Nigerians seek medical care abroad every year. The Federal Minister of State for Health stated that up to $500 million is spent annually by Nigerians on medical care abroad (including oncology),” he explained.
Lakeshore Cancer Center has from its inception close ties with Roswell Park Cancer Institute and is heavily involved with LCC in providing training, education, clinical care oversight and research programs on an ongoing basis, he said.
“The centre features in-house consultant oncologists and 2nd opinions from US-based sub-specialized oncologists via tele-medicine. LCC staffs have in-depth understanding of the medical practice and culture in both Nigeria and the western world,” he assured.
Saby George, assistant professor of oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, also observed that cancer care had not been given the appropriate importance in Nigeria and it was imperative that the medical community in Nigeria took the lead in increasing the cancer awareness by giving various educational programmes.
The areas of unmet need in Nigeria includes cancer prevention, early detection and optimal care and early detection of curable and treatable cancers are key, in order to have the optimal results from cancer care efforts, George said.
Ifeoma Okeke
