Experts urge collaborative efforts against low colorectal cancer awareness in Nigeria

Experts have called for collaborative efforts from government and other stakeholders towards tackling the low awareness about colorectal cancer in Nigeria and other African countries. They made the call y in Abuja during the 5th annual colorectal cancer in Africa awareness workshop hosted by National Hospital Abuja and Asokoro District Hospital. An internationally recognised gastroenterologist, […]

Experts have called for collaborative efforts from government and other stakeholders towards tackling the low awareness about colorectal cancer in Nigeria and other African countries.

They made the call y in Abuja during the 5th annual colorectal cancer in Africa awareness workshop hosted by National Hospital Abuja and Asokoro District Hospital.

An internationally recognised gastroenterologist, Dr Ganiyat Oyeleke said colorectal cancer awareness requires collaborative efforts from local societies and other international collaborators.

She said, “The awareness about colorectal cancer is really low and that is why the focus of this conference is to sensitize the community and bring together different medical experts that are involved; the gastrointestinal physicians, the general practice practitioners, the surgeons, the oncologists, the radiologists, the pathologists, the nurses, and let them come together in a group that we call multidisciplinary team.”

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 She said that the expectation is that every participant takes whatever they learn to their various centers and extend the awareness to their local areas of practice.

 Dr Mukhtar Datti Ahmad, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon urged the public to desist from using over the counter medications for common symptoms such as blood coming from their bowel, or any discomfort around the rectum. He advised them to see a doctor who will guide them towards having the right investigations and the right treatment.

Dr Mukhtar also said that colorectal cancer at early stage, “Is easier to treat and it’s less expensive and consequences of the treatment on the patient are less. “ 

The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud emphasised the need for a multi- disciplinary team in cancer management.

 Represented by the DCMAC Training and Research, Dr Batta Cephas, he called on the private sector to increase their involvement in healthcare management.

The Chairperson of Concerned Medics Foundation (CMF),  Dr Sadiya Gumi, highlighted the organisation’s plans to  sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT),  towards enhancing awareness.

She said, “There is no single organisation that can do it alone. We want to expand awareness and support in ways that complement, not compete with the great work already happening. We can join forces to treat cancer. We previously signed an MOU with National Hospital”

She emphasised the need for commitment to collaborate, learn from others, and prioritise patients’ needs, adding, “We don’t have all the answers, but what we do have is a commitment to collaborate to learn from others and to keep putting patients first.”

Prof Musa Ali-Gombe Director, Clinical Services, NICRAT said, “So, the idea is to train and also find a way for retaining quality workforce  in Nigeria where there is scarcity of oncology workforce, that is why CMF has come in to assist us build capacity for the local specialists that we have in the country.”

 

 

 

He said, “We have several programmes that are going to run in 2025, capacity building for cancer workforce, so we are going to actively engage CMF in all these activities so that we can have the diasporan experience. The cancer margin is rising in the country, there is a need to have more professionals that are trained in the aspect of cancer screening, management, treatment and control.”