A hematologist and the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Cancer Society, Dr Saleh Yuguda, has said cancer care can only be effective when all professionals involved in the treatment work as a team.
Yuguda stated this at a cancer summit held in Lagos State with the theme; “Building strategic framework for strengthening cancer patients support group and breaking the bad news in the African region.”
He said, “Right from the doctors, the specialty and doctors, the nurses, the physiotherapists, psychologists, everybody in the hospital has a role to play.
“If you look at being in countries where the multidisciplinary approach is well practised, you will see that the survival of cancer patients is much higher than countries like ours where we are just trying to build up on the multidisciplinary care approach.”
Also, a professor of Radiology, Radiation Medicine Department, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, in her submission, said, “Research has shown that the three most common cancers in Nigeria are prostrate, cervical, and breast cancers. Of course, there are over 200 types of cancers.
“I am calling on philanthropists, the organised private sector, corporate entities, all hands must be on the deck. This is what happens in high-income countries. They don’t just leave it for the government.”
A cancer survivor and one of the organisers of the event, Dr Denise Ejoh, said the summit was to bring professionals together and train them in how to break the news to patients and their relatives.
Ejoh, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Cormode Cancer Foundation, said the mental health of cancer patients is important and must be considered in the treatment of the condition.
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