Today is world cancer Day

Each year on 4 February, World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) supports Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer.

With this year's 'We can. I can.' campaign, awareness is raised to show the public that everyone can play a role in battling cancer.

World Cancer Day is celebrated every  4^th of  February. Marking the 10th anniversary of the global awareness campaign, the aim this year is to prove that every single person can make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Today on World Cancer Day 2016 the world unites against this disease that knows no borders and represents one of humanity's most pressing and financial concerns.

Under the campaign theme 'We can. I can.' World Cancer Day represents a unique opportunity to draw attention to what can be done to address cancer, save millions of avoidable deaths and, in turn, support global economic growth and development.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells. It can affect almost any part of the body. The growths often invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize to distant sites.

Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco smoke. In addition, a significant proportion of cancers can be cured, by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early.

Everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.

Research has it that, There are currently around 200 known types of cancer. From lung and oesophageal, to bowel and skin cancer.

Lung cancer is by far the biggest killer. Every year it takes the lives of around 1.4 million people globally.

Stomach cancer is the second biggest killer, with around 740,000 deaths per year, and liver cancer is third with 700,000 per year.

With these worrying statistics fresh in our mind, let us make sure that together we do our part to beat cancer. We can. I can Stop myths that lead to stigma against cancer patients, Encourage schools to educate children on how to prevent cancer and Demand governments increase funding for cancer treatment facilities.

It is worrisome to note that Nigeria has only 9 radiotherapy machines, as at November 2015 and  5 are faulty.

Despite having an increasing number of citizens suffering from cancer, Nigeria only has seven radiotherapy machines.

The hospitals are Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH),University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan,University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, National Hospital in Abuja, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto,and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH,the country cannot only rely on limited number of radiotherapy machines.

The effect of such poor cancer services is expensive medical “tourism” for those who can afford to get care outside the country, or turning to private hospitals, traditional healers and religious leaders, for the many Nigerians who cannot afford to travel. By and large, cancer treatment and care in Nigeria is sorely inadequate.

The total life time cost of handling cancer in Nigeria is colossal, perhaps unquantifiable. For the rich, only palliative care is available in most cases of late presentation, while for the poor, there is little or no hope for survival.