Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, the wife of Ondo State’s Governor and founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), has called for a unified effort to tackle the growing cancer crisis in Nigeria. Speaking in Akure on Monday during the commemoration of World Cancer Day, she emphasized the need for concerted action and resource mobilization in the fight against the disease.

Mrs. Akeredolu stressed that the fight against cancer should not be left to a few, saying, “The call to beat cancer is a call to everyone, and we must all pool our resources together to fight it.” She reminded those present that World Cancer Day is dedicated to promoting global efforts to combat the devastating effects of cancer.

Citing alarming statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), she highlighted that Nigeria has one of the highest cancer mortality rates worldwide. Mrs. Akeredolu expressed concern over the insufficient healthcare infrastructure in the country, which has left Nigeria lagging in cancer treatment and care.

Since 2007, BRECAN has spearheaded the observance of World Cancer Day across various states in Nigeria, she said, noting that the organization’s activities have made significant strides in raising awareness and advocating for better cancer care.

According to her, developing countries like Nigeria are grappling with high cancer rates alongside other widespread communicable diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. She lamented that efforts to improve cancer care are often hindered by inadequate government funding, leaving the country ill-prepared to deal with the disease.

“It is distressing to note that in a country of nearly 200 million people, we have barely three fully functional cancer treatment centers,” Mrs. Akeredolu stated. She further highlighted the growing trend of Nigerians seeking cancer treatment abroad, particularly in India, leading to significant revenue loss through medical tourism.

Her message on World Cancer Day was clear: Nigeria needs a stronger, more coordinated approach to cancer care if the nation hopes to reduce its cancer burden and save lives.