Experts seek improved research, affordable treatment for breast cancer
A consultant clinical and radiation oncologist, Dr Adewumi Alabi, has called for more clinical research to improve cancer care, treatment and survival rates for patients.
Alabi, who works at the NSIA/Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre, made the call during a virtual meeting organised by Pfizer in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated annually in October to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer, fund research into its causes, treatment and cure.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report, female breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer type globally in 2020.
The report noted that about 2.26 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 685,000 women died from the disease.
Alabi said that more clinical research was needed in breast cancer to improve treatment outcomes, and reduce the cancer burden; morbidity and mortality among patients.
“In clinical research, we need to understand the tumour biology, that is to understand the language the breast is speaking because the breast speaks different languages for different people.
“There’s what we call heterogeneity in breast cancer, which makes us understand that we have to study each individual to arrive at a prognosis for that individual.
“This will guide our treatment for that individual as treatment for woman A is different from woman B,” she said.
According to her, personalised study and prognosis of patients would lead to better treatment and survival rates, longevity and reduce chances of disease recurrence.
She, however, noted that inadequate funding of research, infrastructure, speciality and collaboration were some of the hindrances that hinder cancer care in the country.
Also, Prof. Joel Yarney, Head of the Medical Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, said breast cancer was becoming an increasing public health issue in Africa due to increasing diagnosis.
Yarney noted that early detection was critical to better health outcomes and survival rates, stressing the need for regular self-check and screenings.
He stressed that timely access, affordable treatment options and expansion of resources and programmes would address current disparities in breast cancer care.
Commenting, Dr Kodjo Soroh, Medical Director East & Anglo West Africa, Pfizer, said the company partnered with health experts and the media to drive awareness about breast cancer as well as support breast cancer patients.
Soroh said that Pfizer has a programme where it makes cancer medicine available at half the cost to bridge the affordability gap in Nigeria and Ghana.
“For Pfizer, breast cancer awareness is more than one month in a year. It is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to improving the lives of people living with breast cancer.
“These we do through affordable treatment and removing barriers to equitable care,” he said.
He noted that Pfizer had signed an agreement with National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) to enlist an antimicrobial resistance drug-free for patients enrolled in the country’s health insurance.
Soroh added that Pfizer was also planning to introduce free cancer drugs for patients through health insurance before the end of the year to enhance access to quality medicine.
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