A medical doctor and senior registrar at the Dept of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria, Dr Ayuba, Hannatu Usman has urged Nigerians to be wary of undue exposure to chemicals as they harbour compounds that could predispose them to bone cancer.

She made this assertion while making a presentation at the 5^th online sensitization webinar jointly organized by the Khayr Cancer Health Initiative (KCHI) and Cancer Consciousness Initiative (CCI).

In her presentation titled: Bone Cancer: Early Detection, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Prevention. Dr Hannatu asserted amongst others that exposure to chemical agents such as- Chromium salts, beryllium oxide, asbestos, aniline dyes, beryllium silicate, herbicides, wood preservatives, vinyl chloride mostly industrial chemicals could be harmful to humans.

These exposures are mostly from different occupational activities, she harped on the exposure of especially little children to these agents and different malignancies that have been implicated with these agents. Rehabilitation of bone cancer patients in Nigeria was also discussed with so many activities by the Multidisciplinary team to impact positively on the bone cancer care journey.

In her contribution as the second speaker, Dr Nafisa Mamman Mohammed, Registrar, Dept of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria also listed several multidisciplinary approaches to the management of bone cancers and harped on early detection to aid treatment.

Regrettably, most bone cancer cases are often presented late to the hospital when great damage would have been done to the system. Hence, the need for more awareness creation at the grassroots and concerted efforts at prompt case detection and early referral to the appropriate healthcare centers to aid care and better patient outcomes.

The webinar which was facilitated by Dr Aderounmi Temilade, Consultant (Paediatrics), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria also had in attendance, the President, Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr Adamu Alhassan Umar and Air Cdre (Rtd) Professor Basheer Adam Yakassai who emphasized the need for the population to take their health matters and particularly prompt diagnosis of medical conditions on time.

In his contribution, Prof Prof Bello Abubakar also encouraged men about the age of 40 to regular assess themselves for prostate specific antigen (PSA) so as to adequately monitor their health. The webinar was attended by several medical and non-medical practitioners emphasizing the need to strong collaborations and exchange of ideas in the management of cancers and other related health conditions of Nigeria to maintain a healthy nation.

It was noted that on June 28, 2024 Nigeria officially declared cancer a notifiable disease, to bolster the fight against cancer! This landmark declaration marks a crucial advancement in the nation’s efforts to address the escalating cancer crisis, and the renewed hope and commitment to combating the growing burden of cancer across the nation.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Kazeem Owolabi (Board of Trustee member, Monitoring & Evaluation, KCHI) acknowledged the roles of physicians and allied health professionals in reducing the scourge of cancers in Nigeria while seeking for more grassroot mobilization to aid education.

The webinar was concluded with a vote of thanks by (KCHI’s, Board of Trustee Member-Capacity Development & Education), Dr Bilikis Farouk Usman, Head, Department of Radiology, Barau Dikko University Teaching Hospital (BDTH) and Kaduna State University, Kaduna who expressed readiness of healthcare workers in diagnosis, treatment and care.

The event was part of activities commemorating 2024 bone cancer awareness month. Further information about KCHI’s activities and upcoming webinar sessions can be found on www.kchi.org.ng.