Lack of accurate data hampering breast cancer prevention and control in Nigeria – Akeredolu

Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, said lack of accurate data is the major problem hampering prevention and control of breast cancer among women in Nigeria .

Akeredolu made the revelation while speaking at the 4th International Breast Cancer Symposium organized by the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN).

At the event were the National President of BRECAN, Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, survivors and other dignitaries.

Akeredolu, speaking at the event on “Bridging the Data Gap for Accurate Cancer Control in Nigeria” held in Ibadan on Thursday, revealed that the global burden of cancer, both in terms of incidence and mortality, is increasing rapidly.

She said that more than 19 million new cases of breast cancer were recorded in 2020, with 10 million deaths worldwide, and this figure continues to increase year by year.

She said the lack of accurate data is the biggest hurdle in tackling the threat of breast cancer in the country.

It also revealed that the lack of a sufficient number of cancer registries to collect continuous and comprehensive data on cancer, number of cases, number of presentations at specific stages, treatment options, number of survivors and mortalities are what make cancer programming difficult to implement in Nigeria.

Akeredolu, while speaking further, however, said that for Nigeria to control breast cancer and prevent it among the many women across the country, there is a need for accurate data that would help produce prevention , efficient and effective cancer screening, diagnosis and diagnosis. treatment systems to improve cancer.