The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, has raised concerns over the rising number of cancer cases in Nigeria, calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to tackle the growing burden.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, Salako announced the launch of Oncoseek—a new blood-based screening test capable of detecting nine high-mortality cancers at an early stage. The launch took place during a two-day workshop organized by the National Technical Working Group (TWG) on the development of Nigeria’s National Nuclear Medicine Guidelines and Policy.
The Minister said the Federal Government is already implementing wide-ranging cancer initiatives that cover prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This includes the ongoing construction of six cancer centres of excellence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. A second phase of infrastructure expansion is set to begin in 2025, with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta confirmed as one of the new beneficiaries.
According to Salako, Oncoseek is a significant advancement in early cancer detection, targeting breast, lung, liver, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal, colorectal, and lymphoma cancers. He emphasized that late diagnosis remains a major challenge in Nigeria, often due to cancer symptoms mimicking other illnesses.
“Screening services that can detect cancers early or even at the pre-cancerous stage are vital,” he said, urging healthcare practitioners to adopt the new tool to enhance early diagnosis and improve outcomes.
The Minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the TWG and implementing the policies and guidelines developed to expand access to nuclear medicine in Nigeria.
President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr. Abidemi Omonisi, also spoke at the event, highlighting the need for better coordination in cancer care delivery. He warned that overlapping responsibilities have negatively impacted both patients and the healthcare system.
Chairman of the TWG, Dr. Kehinde Ololade, outlined the group’s structure and mandate. He explained that sub-committees have been formed to address key areas such as infrastructure, clinical practice, financing, advocacy, and human resource development. These teams are working to draft a comprehensive national policy on nuclear medicine treatment and management.
The event marks a crucial step in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize cancer care and reduce the country’s rising cancer mortality rate through early detection and improved access to advanced medical technology.
