The Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncologists of Nigeria has called for collaboration among stakeholders in the cancer space to reduce the burden of the disease in Nigeria.

ARCON’s national president, Nwamaka Lasebikan, made the call in a statement on Tuesday to commemorate World Cancer Day 2025.

According to Ms Lasebikan, the fight against cancer is a shared responsibility, and the association believes that by working together, the nation can create a future where every Nigerian has access to early detection, quality treatment and support.

She said the association was committed to leading with expertise, compassion and innovation.

The president added that the association was constantly seeking key stakeholders and partners to join in reshaping the future of cancer care in Nigeria.

According to her, cancer is not just a health issue but a societal challenge that affects individuals, families and communities in profound ways; therefore, there is a need for continued collaboration.

She said each patient’s experience was unique and shaped by personal, cultural and economic factors.

“Yet, through collaboration, expertise and innovation, we can unite to improve early detection, treatment accessibility and survival outcomes,” Ms Lasebikan noted. “Cancer remains a growing public health challenge in Nigeria, with an estimated more than 120,000 new cases annually and a high rate of late-stage diagnoses.”

The president attributed the increasing numbers to limited awareness and screening opportunities, leading to delayed diagnosis and gaps in treatment infrastructure, with only 10 facilities offering radiotherapy nationwide.

Ms Lasebikan also identified the high cost of cancer care, which placed an enormous financial burden on patients and their families as a factor, while there was an alarming shortage of trained oncology professionals, making timely and specialised care harder to access.

She said there was hope as Nigeria’s oncology landscape was evolving, and ARCON and critical stakeholders were driving innovative solutions that enhanced cancer care delivery across the country.

Ms Lasebikan said the solutions were through early detection and awareness by advocating for nationwide cancer screening programmes to promote early diagnosis.

She also listed enhancing access to quality treatment by supporting policies that increase investment in radiotherapy centres and oncology units.

She said the theme was a reminder that while every cancer journey was personal, collective efforts could lead to meaningful change.

World Cancer Day is an annual international day, which is observed on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

(NAN)