New figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) while observing this year’s World Cancer Day on Friday, showed that with more than 8.8 million cancer deaths recorded every year around the world, 80, 000 of these deaths are Nigerians.

According to the WHO statistics, more than 100, 000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer every year while about 80, 000 die from the disease. This means that about 240 die every day or 10 every hour. It added that the country’s cancer death ratio of 4 in 5 deaths, is one of the worst in the world.

“Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary suffering and early death. By taking the steps to implement W.H.O’s new guidance, healthcare planners can improve early diagnosis of cancer and ensure prompt treatment, especially for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers,” Etienne Krug, the Director of WHO’s Department for the Management of Non-communicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, said.

Krug urges specialists to focus on early detection of this disease. He also advises Nigeria and other countries to prioritize basic, high-impact and low-cost diagnosis and treatment services.

Anita Fatunji