The Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria, ARCON has lamented that about 78,000 cancer-related deaths are recorded annually.
National President, Amaka Lasebikan, who addressed newsmen in Enugu, ahead of their scientific conference, said the burden of cancer in Nigeria was increasing, hence the need for government, individuals and healthcare givers to urgently rise to the occasion.
While deploring the attitude of Nigerians to their health, the association submitted that current statistics indicate that about 125,000 cases are reported yearly in the country, with the most populous black nation holding the worst immortality rates for breast cancer worldwide.
She also blamed the development on unequal access to cancer care, which according to her, has exposed several patients to socioeconomic and geographic disparities.
Lasebikan added that the challenge of diagnosis, absence of infrastructure, cultural and religious beliefs and geographical location and brain drain were worsening the situation.
