By Confidence Obiahu
The rising cost of cancer treatment in Nigeria is forcing some patients to abandon care after they can no longer afford the financial burden, clinical oncologist Dr Omolola Salako has said.
Speaking in a live television interview, Salako said cancer treatment in Nigeria could cost between ₦10 million and ₦60 million, depending on the type and stage of cancer and the treatment required.
She said the major challenge for many patients was not necessarily the availability of treatment, but their ability to pay for it.
“Some patients start treatment and, along the line, they can no longer afford it,” she said, noting that cancer care may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or hormone therapy, saying patients may require a combination of these treatments, further increasing the overall cost.
Salako also raised concerns about Nigeria’s limited health insurance coverage, saying many Nigerians still rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments to meet healthcare costs.
She stressed the importance of early detection, noting that some cancers can be successfully treated when diagnosed at an early stage.
The oncologist urged Nigerians not to ignore persistent or unusual symptoms or wait until their condition becomes severe before seeking medical attention. She also encouraged people to undergo appropriate cancer screening based on their age, sex, personal and family history, and other risk factors.
Salako advised patients whose symptoms persist despite treatment to seek a second medical opinion rather than continuing with ineffective treatment.
She cautioned against viewing cancer as an automatic death sentence, particularly when the disease is detected early.
According to her, some cancers diagnosed at stages one and two can be cured, while patients with advanced disease may still live for several years with appropriate treatment.
However, she said treatment becomes more challenging when cancer spreads to vital organs such as the brain, liver or lungs.
“The financial burden of cancer care can extend beyond the cost of treatment, with some patients and families forced to seek financial assistance from relatives, friends and members of the public to continue care.”
Salako and other health experts have therefore called for stronger health insurance coverage and greater government investment in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment to reduce out-of-pocket spending and prevent patients from abandoning care.
Reasons why cancers are increasing in Nigeria
Today, cities in Nigeria are transforming coupled with urbanization which changes how people now eat, move and live. The trend in globalization with the increasing affordability of digital devices, has enabled an exchange of cultural and lifestyle preferences. Some of which are cancer-promoting, including changes in dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Most Nigerians no longer consume the traditional Nigerian diet known for their rich in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. These foods are now replaced by processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food.
Diets high in processed sugars, increasing obesity, and low physical activity contribute to inflammatory and metabolic pathways that drive cancer development.
For many young Nigerians, cancer does not begin with a cigarette or a bad diet. Viral infections is another reason cancer is rising. One they may have contracted years, even decades, earlier. Nigeria is hyper-endemic for Hepatitis B and C, which are major drivers of liver cancer. These infections silently transform healthy liver cells into cancerous ones over decades. Cervical cancer is almost entirely caused by persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
HPV is particularly devastating among young women. It spreads through sexual contact, and without vaccination or regular screening, it progresses undetected. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among Nigerian women, while cervical cancer accounts for the second largest number of female cancer deaths in Nigeria. Both are cancers for which early intervention is highly effective — yet most young women are diagnosed far too late.
Early detection saves lives, but Nigeria’s health infrastructure is under enormous pressure. With only 27 cancer treatment centers available for a population of 218.5 million people, patients encounter significant delays as well as financial burdens. For a young person without insurance, the cost of a biopsy alone can be catastrophic.
Cancer rising in Nigerian communities demonstrates a substantial burden which the existing cancer care system may not be able to curtail. Radiotherapy machines are few, chemotherapy drugs are frequently out of stock, and oncologists are concentrated in just a handful of cities. The result is that by the time most young patients are correctly diagnosed, the disease has progressed to a stage where outcomes are significantly worse.
Approximately 40 percent of cancers are preventable, yet Nigeria is not preventing them effectively or urgently enough. The tools exist: HPV vaccines, Hepatitis B immunization, routine screening, and lifestyle education. What is missing is the political will and community infrastructure to deploy them at scale, especially for young people who do not yet believe they are at risk.
