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Senior healthcare professionals have raised concern over the high level of environmental pollution in the country, saying the development is contributing to Nigeria’s cancer burden.
They explained that daily exposure to pollutants, including hazardous chemicals, vehicular fumes, and oil spills among others are increasing risks of cancer in the country.
Speaking in a separate interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts in cancer care maintained that addressing the rising environmental pollution in the country could help reduce the nation’s cancer burden.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths according to the World Health Organisation.
In Nigeria, the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2018-2022), recently revealed that cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths in the country annually, with a reported 102,000 new cases each year.
In 2019, air pollution caused about 6.7 million deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
Of these, almost 85% are attributable to noncommunicable diseases, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes.
This makes air pollution the second leading cause of NCDs globally after tobacco, WHO added.
Speaking with our correspondent, a Professor of Radiology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Ifeoma Okoye, said exposure to environmental pollution plays a significant role in cancer development among non-smokers.
According to her, exposure to environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals may increase risk.
“In Nigeria, environmental pollution is very high. The high levels of environmental pollution in Nigeria, including air and water pollution, (Putrefaction of inadequately handled biodegradable & non-biodegradable refuse).
“Also, vehicular fumes, oil spills, petroleum products, and exposure to hazardous chemicals, are significant contributors to the country’s cancer burden,” she said.
Okoye, the Director of the UNN Centre for Clinical Trials, said, “Research indicates a higher prevalence of lung and skin cancers in Port Harcourt compared to other regions. This trend suggests that environmental factors, including soot pollution, may play a significant role in cancer development among non-smokers.
“The pervasive soot pollution in Port Harcourt, primarily resulting from the combustion of petrochemical products, has raised significant health concerns. Notably, there is a potential link between this environmental pollution and the incidence of lung cancer among non-smokers in the region.
“Addressing these environmental risk factors is crucial for reducing cancer incidence and improving public health outcomes in Nigeria.”
For his part, Dr. Habeebu Muhammad, the Chief Clinical Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority–Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Cancer Centre, said environmental degradation and urbanisation are increasing the risk of exposure to pollutants that increase cancer risks.
“Now, we are also more exposed to waste products, environmental pollution from the generator and motor exhaust fumes, chemicals from factories and generally from urbanisation which increase risk of exposure to chemicals that can trigger cancer,” the oncologist said.
The experts, however, advised Nigerians to adopt exercise, eat a balanced diet and avoid sedentary lifestyles.
“Lack of exercise, junk foods, taking processed or fatty foods and exposure to chemical waste, radiation and all these increase the risk. Also, sedentary lifestyles increase the risk,” Muhammad said.
