A Lagos-based oncologist, Dr Temitope Olatunji, has urged Nigerians to take unusual symptoms seriously and embrace regular health screenings to improve the early detection and treatment of cancer.
Olatunji, a Radiation and Clinical Consultant at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, said many people delay seeking medical attention after noticing changes in their bodies, reducing the chances of early intervention.
She recommended annual health checks and urged people to report strange or persistent symptoms rather than ignoring them. According to her, early diagnosis gives doctors a better opportunity to identify diseases and begin appropriate treatment before they become more difficult to manage.
The oncologist identified poverty as one of the major barriers preventing Nigerians from accessing regular screenings and treatment. She therefore called for stronger public education campaigns to improve awareness about cancer, its warning signs and available treatment options.
Olatunji also welcomed the expansion of health insurance, saying greater awareness of such programmes could help reduce the financial burden associated with cancer care.
She stressed that early detection and timely treatment remain critical to reducing cancer-related deaths in Nigeria.
