AMID scientific declarations by both World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC) that up to 40 percent of world cancer cases can be prevented, more scientific findings have emerged from South Korea, showing that cancer cells can be reversed to normal cells, thus facilitating effective treatment of cancer patients around the world.
In Nigeria, the strategy for cancer research and control is being strengthened, driven by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). To this effect, the country had activated a strategic plan since 2023 to embark on a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination with some 15 million doses expected to end in 2027. There are expectations that the duration may be extended, and the doses significantly increased.
The Nigeria cancer agenda, according to reports, focuses on early detection, prompt diagnosis, and improving treatment outcomes tailored to the country’s peculiarities. There are other aspects of the strategy, but the key barrier to the efforts is funding. The budget for this is not far-reaching.
According to the WHO and IARC, their study examined 30 preventable causes of cancer, which include but not limited to tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, and air pollution. The report reveals that tobacco remained the leading preventable cause of cancer, and responsible for all new cases. The study drew data extensively from 185 countries and 36 cancer types.
The study identified lung, stomach and cervical cancers as constituting nearly half of global preventable cancers. It noted that preventable cancer was significantly higher in men (45 percent) than in women (30 percent) of new cancer cases. It should be clearly noted that smokers and heavy consumers of alcoholic beverages are more likely to die from these factors; greater number of men tend to fall victim of the vices than women.
On the Nigerian scene, the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) reports that as at 2022, there were approximately 127,000 new cancer cases, and 79,000 deaths. In the last four years, the figure could have risen significantly especially when the health sub-sector is inadequately funded. The cost of cancer treatment for the individual is huge and painful. It is not a respecter of persons. Aggregately, the cost implications for families and society are enormous.
China and the United States are, reputedly, the leading cancer research and treatment countries in the world. But recently, South Korea broke new scientific grounds in cancer research. Recently, a team of researchers led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho developed an original technology for cancer reversal treatment that does not kill cancer cells but only change their characteristics to reverse them to a state similar to normal cells.
According to Professor Cho of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, “We have discovered a molecular switch that can revert the fate of cancer cells back to a normal state by capturing the moment critical transition right before normal cells are changed into an irreversible cancerous state.” How many of our universities of science and technology, and research institutions can boast of such a breakthrough? We believe the Korean feat is a challenge to all of them particularly those involved in medical and related research.
There is no end yet to research on the subject of cancer. It has been established and documented that four out of every 10 cases of cancers can be prevented. This could be done by avoiding lifestyle and environmental variables that promote them. We think we have had too many deaths attributable to cancer.
Furthermore, we advocate big time funding of cancer research and treatment by the Nigerian government, and private sector corporations. The impact of cancer affects all; and a relatively cancer-free society benefits everyone.
It is also imperative that efforts are intensified in the execution of the HPV vaccination across the country. In the same vein, it is instructive that other African nations yet to embark on the scheme should do so without delay.
Equally critical, in our considered opinion, is that our government through the mass media should mount a public education campaign to highlight the dangers of the disease and the necessary preventive measures. We, moreover, call on citizens to lay emphasis on consumption of natural foods than processed ones as it has been well established that the latter are obvious triggers of the health condition.
The global onslaught against cancer is encouraging. It is a task that should be sustained.
