LUTH's Disturbing Statistic: 300 Children Diagnosed with Cancer in 1 Year

300 Child Cancer Cases Recorded at LUTH in 1 Year

“Our registry data shows that children also suffer from cancer...”

Nigeria tackles cancer: NICRAT hosts national stakeholders' meeting to improve prevention & treatment.

Experts call for increased awareness and funding after Lagos University Teaching Hospital records 300 child cancer cases in just one year.

Consultant pathologist Abidemi Omonisi revealed that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) recorded 300 child cancer cases within a one-year period. Omonisi shared this alarming statistic at the in-country mission program action for Cancer Therapy (imPACT) review in Abuja on October 22.

The imPACT review, an initiative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), evaluates national cancer control capabilities, identifies challenges, and highlights areas for improvement to inform future control plans.

Omonisi emphasized that the 300 recorded cases signal a rising trend in childhood cancers in Nigeria, necessitating urgent attention. Traditionally, focus has centered on breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

Omonisi's disclosure underscores the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions to address the growing burden of childhood cancers in Nigeria.

“However, our registry data shows that children also suffer from cancer, including inherited cases,” Omonisi said.

The pathologist said focus has always been on breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

“During my consultancy visit to LUTH, we discovered a changing trend.

“Previously dominant Burkitt lymphoma has given way to methodological malignancy, specifically leukemia.”

Abidemi Omonisi, a consultant pathologist, announced that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) will establish Nigeria's first population-based childhood cancer registry. This registry will provide comprehensive data for analysis, enabling informed decisions to combat childhood cancer. By December, the collected data will be analyzed, and the findings will inform policy suggestions to the government.

The registry is part of a broader initiative to strengthen cancer control in Nigeria. Laura Haskins from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) explained that the federal government requested a review to assess Nigeria's cancer control capacities and identify areas for improvement.

Main Objectives of the Initiative:

• Establish a childhood cancer registry to collect and analyze data on childhood cancer cases
• Analyze cancer control capacities to identify strengths and weaknesses
• Inform policy suggestions to enhance cancer control efforts
• Replicate the registry in all six geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide coverage

This initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the growing burden of childhood cancer in Nigeria. By leveraging data and expertise, the country can develop effective strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat childhood cancer.

“The IAEA, World Health Organization WHO, and International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC provide technical support to countries strengthening their cancer control,” Haskins said.

“We acknowledge Nigeria's existing capacity and seek to tailor our assessment to its specific needs.”

Musa Ali-Gombe, NICRAT's Director of Clinical Services, emphasized that the meeting aims to:

Bring together stakeholders from across Nigeria to discuss their roles, challenges, and gaps in cancer control efforts, fostering a collaborative approach to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment nationwide.

“Participants include academic institutions, medical professional associations, Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs and Civil Society Organizations CSOs involved in cancer advocacy,” Ali-Gombe said.

“This collaboration will produce a comprehensive document for the government to implement suggested improvements.”