By Joseph Erunke, ABUJA

A multi-cancer early detection software algorithm has been introduced in Nigeria, giving citizens the opportunity to detect nine to eleven cancers early,thus increasing the chance of preventing cancers or treating them successfully.

The Partnership for Eradication of Cancer in Africa,PECA and its partner, Inspire2live Netherlands, introduced the software algorithm,called OncoSeek, during a stakeholders engagement and sensitization of Nigerian public in Abuja.

OncoSeek is said to be a multi-cancer early detection product based on a liquid biopsy (blood sample). It is a software algorithm that uses the values of 7 protein tumor markers (which are determined in a laboratory using an officially approved electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer) to detect various cancers thus leading to early treatment of the cancers.

” OncoSeek significantly outperforms the conventional clinical method, representing a novel blood-based test that is non-invasive, easy, efficient, and robust, “according to PECA.

Speaking at the event,the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, who expressed appreciation to PECA and Inspire2live, for the new innovation,pledged federal government ‘s full partnership with the organisations to make their programme successful in the country.

Pate,who explained that the government was doing a lot through the ministry in its cancer eradication efforts,highlighted the provision of Cancer Health Fund in the country and called on Nigerians who have been diagnosed of the disease to access the fund.

The ministry,who spoke at the event through his representative and Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health,Dr Jimoh Olawale Salaudeen, emphasized that government has put necessary machinery in place to tackle cancer headlong in the country.

“A lot is going on in the Federal Ministry of Health. We have established what is called Cancer Health Fund.Anybody that is diagnosed of cancer,once it is established that you have cancer of the breast,the prostrate or cervix,there is money that is being kept for treatment. Once you can follow up to the internet, you would access the money. The hospitals concerned are all there.

“Once it’s been established that truly,the person is having cancer of the breast,of the cervix or that of the prostrate,at least,the sum of N1million will be credited into your wallet for you to be accessing treatment. So,a lot is really ongoing as regards to the issue of cancer.

“If you go to Lagos today,the treatment in Lagos is more or less covering the whole Africa . people come from Ghana, everywhere to access treatment there. So the present administration is really doing a lot,”he said.

Speaking further,he said:”The solution that Oncoseek is bringing to the country ,we really want to thank you,PECA because the best way to overcome disease is to prevent it. And you will all agree that when it comes to the issue of cancer,at the begging, you will not be aware of whether there is anything wrong.

“If there could be a solution that could detect 9 to 11 traces of cancer in everybody, that means we are gradually moving there,where we will end this issue of cancer that is really becoming a big problem in our community.

“So we thank the Inspire 2Live,we thank PECA and we also thank the Oncoseek team for bringing this solution to Nigeria, because bringing this solution to Nigeria is like helping us to find solution to this problem. This is an opportunity for us to live longer,so we thank you very much for bringing this solution.

“We had lengthy discussion yesterday and part of our conclusion was that since we found out that the sensitivity of this particular solution is about 93 percent,when we domesticate this particular findings,we are ready and willing to partner with you. We will do everything humanity possible to ensure the success of this programme,”he pledged.

Earlier,in his remarks,the President of Partnership for Eradication of Cancer in Africa, Benjamin Ogbalor, expressed happiness that at last,there was hope for millions of Nigerians to detect 9 to11 cancers early.

Ogbalor said,”I am very excited indeed that at last there is hope for millions of Nigerians to detect 9 to 11 cancers early and invariably to increase the chance of preventing these cancers and or treating them successfully.

“Bevond this, this day marks the beginning of the attainment of one of the key reasons PECA was founded,that is to make an impact on the cancer control project through partnerships.

“I thus want to thank our international partners Inspire2live Netherlands for deeming it fit to make it possible for OncoSeek to be introduced to the Nigerian public to save lives and reduce huge costs and burdens associated with cancer.”

He explained that the “event is arranged to share with the Nigerian public especially top functionaries of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, her Departments and Agencies, other relevant government departments and agencies, professionals in the medical and health sector, civil society organisations, patients advocates, the donor community, among others the potentials/efficacy of OncoSeek and its impact on early detection of nine to eleven different cancers and the modalities of making the solution available to Nigerians who may wish to take advantage of this product.”

In her goodwill message at the occasion, President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association,DEPOWA,Mrs. Oghogho Musa, said her members were very happy to be associated with the project, assuring that they will support actions that may help to prevent cancer or enhance early detection of cancers .

Mrs Musa,said cancer-related deaths and financial burden it exerts can be significantly reduced when cancers are detected early.

While quoting experts that cancers can be completely cured if detected early enough,she said,:It is therefore the collective responsibility of men andl women of goodwill to be part of the effort to create the awareness on the imperative of early-detection of cancer and to be part of the advocacy to battle the scourge of cancer in the world.”

“On our own part as a non-governmental organization committed to the welfare of women, children and the vulnerable members of the society especially the military community nationwide, DEPOWA – The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association,DEPOWA), has always been part of these efforts.

“As the President of DEPOWA, | make bold to say that we are passionate about ensuring the overall healt and wellbeing of our immediate constituency and the society at large. Our activities are specifically centered around women and children and as such we have shown commitment in creating awareness around Cancer prevention. We have conducted and will continue to conduct free cervical and breast cancer screening across our formations.

“We have also been educating our adolescents on Human Papilloma Virus vaccine and Its benefits, and have facilitated the routine issuance of the cervical cancer screening and mammography cards to guide women on periodic cancer check for early detection of cancer, “she said.