Health experts, researchers, and policy advocates have issued a strong appeal to Nigerians to prioritize preventive vaccines as a frontline defense against deadly but preventable cancers—specifically liver and cervical cancers. This call for action emerged during the Policy4Cancer Designathon, an initiative of the Cancer Control Centre for Research on Implementation Science and Equity, held in Abuja.

A National Wake-Up Call on Preventive Vaccination

Juliet Iwelunmor, a professor of medicine at Washington University and a principal investigator for the initiative, underscored the urgency of adopting proactive measures. She stressed that vaccination could serve as a game-changing tool in the nation’s fight against certain cancers.

“We can no longer afford to wait until people are diagnosed. Liver and cervical cancers are preventable. There are vaccines that can drastically cut these numbers,” Iwelunmor stated.

The professor emphasized that two specific vaccines—HPV for cervical cancer and the hepatitis B vaccine for liver cancer—are not only available but also capable of preventing thousands of deaths if widely adopted.

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy

The designathon was created to foster collaboration between everyday citizens, medical researchers, and students with the goal of transforming research findings into actionable public policies.

“We brought together regular people, researchers, and students to help turn research into real-world impact. We didn’t want this to be just another academic exercise,” Iwelunmor explained.

Six different teams participated in the event, proposing diverse policy-focused solutions aimed at promoting vaccine uptake and reducing preventable cancer deaths. According to Iwelunmor, the most compelling pitches could soon find their way into Nigeria’s national cancer control strategies.

A Human-Centered Approach to Cancer Control

With a personal story fueling her advocacy, Iwelunmor revealed that her entry into cancer research stemmed from a devastating loss in her own life. That experience inspired her to leverage her skills to help others avoid similar tragedies.

“I am not a cancer researcher by training. I came into this because of a personal loss. That made me question how I could apply my knowledge to save others,” she shared.

The judges prioritized originality and practical relevance when evaluating the ideas. Projects that directly reflected the lived experiences of community members stood out.

Sustainable Solutions for the Long Term

Dr. Folahanmi Akinsolu, a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and associate professor of public health at Leeds City University, emphasized the critical role of sustainability in any proposed interventions.

“In Nigeria, sustainability is key. We need interventions that can survive even when funding is tight,” he said.

Akinsolu acknowledged that while government involvement remains vital, civil society, academia, and communities must also take ownership. He praised the innovative ideas presented during the contest and highlighted the role of such efforts in shaping future policy frameworks.

Progress and Remaining Challenges

Reflecting on Nigeria’s progress in cancer prevention over the past decade, Akinsolu expressed cautious optimism. He noted that awareness and vaccine rollout efforts have significantly improved outcomes.

“There is greater awareness now than ever before. The HPV vaccination campaign, which began in 2023 and expanded in 2024, has created momentum,” he observed.

Akinsolu pointed out that health education has reached the grassroots. Expectant mothers who visit primary healthcare centers are increasingly aware that their newborns will receive vital immunizations within the first 24 hours of life—a development that speaks to the growing integration of preventive healthcare practices.

However, he warned that vaccine hesitancy remains a persistent challenge.

“We have to keep engaging the public. Misinformation is a big obstacle. People need to understand that these vaccines work—and that’s why the government is investing in them,” he emphasized.

CANREACT Emerges as the Winning Innovation

Out of the six teams that presented their solutions, Team CANREACT clinched the top prize of ₦1 million. The team consisted of four passionate individuals: Esiosa Iyagbaye, a pharmacist and founder of Chronic Disease Mate for Africa; Eunice Ayeni, a master’s student in Public Health Epidemiology at the University of Lagos; Stephanie Ihensekhien, a pharmacist from the University of Benin; and Lawal Abiola, also a pharmacist.

In an interview, Iyagbaye explained that the team’s project—CANREACT, which stands for Cancer, Research, and Action—was developed to engage communities, researchers, and policymakers simultaneously.

“It’s not just the name of our project; it’s our core mission. We want to close the gap between research findings and community action,” she said.

Targeting High-Burden Communities

The CANREACT project took root in Egor Local Government Area in Edo State, a community identified during research as having a significant burden of cervical cancer.

“Egor has both the University of Benin and a teaching hospital, yet the cancer rates are high. We needed to understand why,” Iyagbaye said.

The team discovered gaps in public awareness and limited outreach from policymakers and researchers. Their approach centered on building a bridge between affected communities and decision-makers.

“We realized that while researchers are busy and policymakers are overwhelmed, the communities continue to suffer. So we designed a solution that brings all three together—community, research, and policy,” she added.

A Grassroots Blueprint for National Policy

The team believes their solution can serve as a template for similar high-burden areas across the country. By empowering community members and involving them in policy discussions, they aim to ensure that interventions are not only implemented but also adopted and sustained.

“We want to make sure that community voices are at the center of policy. That’s how we’ll avoid wasting resources and truly make an impact,” Iyagbaye said.

She noted that the initiative will go through further development, including simulated policy dialogues where decision-makers can engage with the top ideas from the event.

Looking Ahead: From Dialogue to Action

According to Iwelunmor, the next phase involves connecting the top ideas with policymakers for potential integration into national strategies.

“Nigeria is currently updating its cancer control policy. We’re saying don’t do that without hearing from the communities. These ideas deserve to be heard,” she insisted.

If successful, these efforts could influence future government action and potentially secure better funding and strategic implementation for vaccine uptake and other preventive health programs.

Final Thoughts

The Policy4Cancer Designathon has not only shed light on the urgent need for preventive vaccination in Nigeria but has also proven that community-driven solutions can offer sustainable and effective outcomes. With cervical and liver cancers claiming thousands of lives annually—many of which could be prevented through vaccines—the call to action is clear.

As Nigeria continues to battle a growing cancer burden, these collaborative efforts between researchers, students, and community advocates present a promising path forward. Whether through grassroots education, policy innovation, or vaccination campaigns, the fight against cancer is gaining momentum—and lives can be saved by acting now.