A new study from Tampere University in Finland, in collaboration with the Edo–Benin Cancer Registry (EBCR), reveals a troubling contradiction in Nigeria’s cancer care landscape. Analyzing cases from 2016 to 2018, researchers found that nearly half of all breast, cervical, and prostate cancer cases were identified during routine health check-ups. However, patients detected through these health check-ups were more likely to be sent for palliative care than those diagnosed in clinical settings. This undermines the promise of early detection, raising serious concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to provide timely and equitable treatment.
The study, led by Dr Gregrey Oko-oboh, found that while health screening initiatives are detecting cancers, they do not guarantee access to curative care. In fact, many patients identified through check-ups are likely to be at an advanced stage of disease—suggesting that people may be presenting late, even during so-called "early detection" campaigns. Furthermore, treatment options remain out of reach for most Nigerians: there are only two functional radiotherapy machines in government hospitals nationwide, and the cost of chemotherapy is prohibitive for low-income families. These systemic limitations contribute to the high proportion of screened patients—up to 83% in some cases—being placed on palliative rather than curative treatment pathways.
In an exclusive interview with Zhigma Intelligence, corresponding author Dr Gregrey Oko-oboh reflects on the study's implications and the urgent need for reform.
Interview with Dr Gregrey Oko-oboh – Tampere University, Finland
Zhigma Intelligence (ZI): Why are patients detected early still ending up in palliative care?
Dr Oko-oboh: That’s one of the striking findings of our study. On paper, early detection should improve outcomes—but if the health system doesn’t follow through, then early diagnosis alone isn’t enough. In many cases, we believe people are presenting to “early detection” programmes when their symptoms have already progressed. So, these may not be truly early cases after all. Then add the issue that treatment—especially radiotherapy and chemotherapy—is either unavailable or unaffordable. For instance, only two government-run hospitals in Nigeria have working radiotherapy machines, and chemotherapy costs are simply out of reach for most of the poor.
ZI: Were you surprised by the findings?
Dr Oko-oboh: We knew there were gaps, but what surprised us was how consistent the trend was across all three cancers studied. The system seems to detect but not respond. It’s like diagnosing a fire but having no water to put it out. When we saw that cancers detected through check-ups were more likely to receive palliative care, it was clear that early detection, in isolation, isn’t delivering the intended impact.
ZI: What next steps do you recommend?
Dr Oko-oboh: First, reframe health check-ups to ensure they reach people before symptoms appear. Second, we need integrated care pathways—screening must link directly to accessible, affordable treatment. That means investing in radiotherapy centres, subsidising cancer drugs, and training specialists. Without real treatment options, our current system offers hope without help.
Link to original article: https://rdcu.be/elyJI
Link to Original Article: https://rdcu.be/elyJI
Abstract
Purpose
This study sought to describe the methods of detection (MOD), their determinants and association with type of treatments received for breast, cervical and prostate cancers using a population-based cancer registry in Nigeria.
Methods
The study analyzed incident breast (n = 205), cervical (n = 147), and prostate (n = 250) cancers from the Edo–Benin Cancer Registry (EBCR) from 2016 to 2018. The MOD was assigned as health check-up detected or clinically detected. Case proportion ratios (CPR) were used to compare MOD across determinant levels. Statistical association between demographic determinants and MOD were assessed using binomial regression.
Results
Among the cancers recorded by the EBCR, 46% of breast (n = 205), 43% of cervical (n = 146), and 50% of prostate (n = 250) cases were identified through health check-ups. MOD was not significantly linked to age or marital status. Health check-ups were less common in those with less than tertiary education [breast, CPR 0.61 (95% CI 0.46–0.80), cervical, CPR 0.73 (95% CI 0.49–1.08), prostate, CPR 0.64 (95% CI 0.50–0.82)]. Significantly, more cancers detected via health check-ups were assigned to palliative care compared to clinical detection (breast: 76% vs. 58%, cervical: 80% vs. 59%, prostate: 83% vs. 64%).
Conclusion
Health check-up campaigns are a key source of new cases in EBCR, but cancers detected through them are more often assigned to palliative care than those detected clinically. The findings suggest that efforts at early detection are not expressed in treatments assignment. Pre-symptomatic individuals should be encouraged to participate in health check-ups and proper treatment made available to improve these programmes.
Authors:
Gregrey Agbonvihele Oko-oboh 1, Anssi Auvinen1,2,3, Darlington E. Obaseki4, Janne Pitkäniemi 1,5,6
1 Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
2 Prostate Cancer Research Center, Tampere University
3 Fi-Can Mid Regional Cancer Center, Tampere University
4 Histopathology Department, University of Benin, Nigeria
5 Finnish Cancer Registry, Helsinki, Finland
6 University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, Helsinki, Finland
Corresponding author:
Gregrey Agbonvihele Oko-oboh, Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
Link to Original Article: https://rdcu.be/elyJI
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Very revealing and actionable.