Betty Akeredolu, president of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) has bemoaned the non availability of complete and accurate data to appreciate “cancer reality” in Nigeria.

Mrs Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor, said a more innovative approach needs to be deployed to reduce the cancer burden in Nigeria.

She disclosed this at the 25th Anniversary and 4th International Breast Cancer Symposium of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, (BRECAN) in Ibadan.

The event with the theme “Close the care gap” holds from October 13 to October 15.

The wife of the Ondo State governor said with the prevalence of cancer and mortality in the country, complete and accurate data was essential to drive a more effective cancer control programming in Nigeria as well as other Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

According to her, from behavioural science to biological science, knowledge must drive actions against cancer.

Lack of adequate data on cancer registries, cases, specific stages, treatment options, survivors, mortalities and other key indicators make cancer programming difficult to implement in Nigeria.

Mrs Akeredolu emphasised that the true representation of cancer reality still does not exist, saying available dates were mainly estimates, which are in fact underestimated.

“This makes it difficult for cancer advocates to express the true picture of the cancer reality in Nigeria to policy makers in order to secure political will and action,” she said.

She said that there was a need to upscale the system to include accurate collection, management, analysis and reporting of cancer data which was the core at the fourth international breast cancer symposium.

“As we celebrate BRECAN 25 years of actively working to improve breast cancer outcomes through awareness, patient support, advocacy and research.

“It is pivotal to have data that represents our population as black Africans for cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies tailored to suit our population type,” she said.

The governor’s wife maintained that cancer survivors must be engaged in order to learn what works for the population and put faces to the cancer success stories.

“The success stories are a qualitative testament to the general public that cancer can be defeated if the right actions are taken quickly; hence, improving cancer outcomes in our region,” Mrs Akeredolu said.

The three-day event features several other presentations on the causes, effects and solution to cancer burden.

(NAN)