The Federal Government has unveiled three strategic policy documents that would aid cancer prevention and control in the country.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, launched the documents at an event organised by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to commemorate the 2023 International Cancer Week, Monday, in Abuja,
The documents include the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027, National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of Uterine Cervix 2023-2027 and the National cancer Research Agenda 2024-2027, which align with the National Health Development Plan, as well as the global strategy for elimination of cancer of the uterine cervix by the year 2030.
Alausa, said that statistics has shown that Cancer has become an emerging disease in Nigeria and of serious public health concern, pointing out that a well thought out steps must be taken to prevent this growing trend.
He noted that Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, including Nigeria, adding that low and middle-income countries accounted for 51 per cent of all cancers worldwide in 1975, the proportion increased to 55 per cent in 2007 and to 70 per cent in 2018.
