By Progress Godfrey

The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), FCT Chapter, has raised concerns over deepening gaps in women-centred cancer care, calling for urgent investment in screening, early detection and equitable access to treatment across the country.

MWAN President, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, as the world commemorates World Cancer Day themed: “United by Unique”.

Umeakuewulu said the situation remains particularly disturbing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where policy decisions are made, yet many women still present late, face long diagnostic delays and struggle to access timely cancer treatment.

MWAN noted that cancers affecting women continue to drive avoidable deaths, stressing that weak screening coverage, low awareness and poor access to diagnostic services have worsened outcomes for thousands of Nigerian families.

“In Nigeria, cancer continues to write a tragic story. Recent estimates show over 127,000 new cancer cases annually, with nearly 80,000 deaths.

“These are not just numbers; they represent mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and breadwinners whose lives are cut short unnecessarily,” she said.

The association warned that the burden of cancer goes beyond health, destabilising families, exposing children to vulnerability and weakening communities, while late presentation remains widespread.

The statement highlighted systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, noting that many women only reach hospitals when the disease has progressed to advanced stages.

“Cancers that predominantly affect women—breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers—carry an especially heavy burden.

“Breast cancer now accounts for over 28,000 new cases annually among Nigerian women, while cervical cancer claims about 8,000 lives each year, despite being largely preventable.
“Nigeria has one of the highest cervical cancer burdens globally, yet screening coverage remains unacceptably low,” Umeakuewulu said.

The MWAN president further expressed concern over critical infrastructure gaps, especially the limited availability of diagnostic and treatment equipment nationwide.

“No government-owned hospital in Nigeria currently has a functional PET scan, a critical tool for accurate cancer staging and treatment planning,” she noted.

She called for expanded population-based screening for breast and cervical cancer at the primary healthcare level, alongside stronger HPV vaccination coverage for girls aged 9–14 years and the establishment of PET scan facilities in government tertiary hospitals, including in the FCT.

NAN