A clinical oncologist, Dr Omolola Salako, has raised concerns about cancer diagnoses among Nigerians in their late teens and thirties, saying some cases are being detected in people who are considered too young for routine screening.
Salako said oncologists were increasingly encountering cancer patients between 18 and 39 years, describing the cases as “unpredictable.”
She spoke during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Sunday.
“And for young cancers, that’s another thing we’re seeing in oncology, there are young people between the ages of 18 and 39 that are developing cancers and these cancers are unpredictable, too young to recommend cancer screening in the first place,” she stated.
The specialist, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, explained that the age of many young patients could contribute to delayed diagnosis.
She noted that cancer is often not considered when young people experience health problems, resulting in some patients seeking medical attention only after the disease has progressed.
“And with the younger adults, they tend to present, you know, late because that’s the last thing on a 20-something years old mind, so with smoking, the causative agent is tobacco,” Salako said.
Discussing cancer prevention, Salako identified tobacco exposure as a major risk factor and warned that smokers were not the only people at risk.
“Smoking contains tobacco. And in tobacco, there are more than 3,000 chemicals that are known to trigger cancer or start cancer,” Salako said.
She added that people who regularly stay around smokers could also be exposed to harmful substances from tobacco smoke.
“Whether you’re smoking it or you’re leaving or hanging around the person who’s smoking, all of that are risk factors, so the first thing I would say is when we speak cancer control, there’s several pillars. So the first pillar is cancer prevention,” the oncologist said.
Salako urged Nigerians to take preventive healthcare seriously and make use of available services at different levels of the health system.
She particularly encouraged people to undergo appropriate screening and receive vaccines that can help prevent some cancer-related infections.
“And 40% of cancers are preventable. So it’s important women and men are presented at the primary care health care levels to get screened, get vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, human papillomavirus,” she said.
Hereditary factors also important
The oncologist said Nigerians with a history of cancer affecting several members of their families should not ignore the possibility of inherited risk.
“Another challenge I must highlight are those with a strong family history of cancer,” Salako said.
She advised people with such backgrounds to consult specialists and consider genetic assessment where necessary.
“When there’s a strong family history, you should see a specialist, you should do some genetic tests and there are some drugs and tests that can be done to detect the cancers when they are at stage zero, pre-cancers, when they are microscopic,” she said.
Salako also pointed to other conditions and lifestyle-related issues that could increase cancer risks.
“So, of course, kidney diseases leading to renal failure, requiring renal transplant is a big issue, uncontrolled hypertension, I would like to say micronutrient deficiency,” she said.
She cautioned against viewing electronic cigarettes and similar tobacco products as completely safe.
On alcohol consumption, she said prolonged and excessive intake could place stress on the liver and contribute to cancer development.
“But it doesn’t mean it’s a healthy option, It’s the chronic, heavy alcohol consumption that stresses the liver, induces chronic inflammation and can cause other types of cancers,” Salako said.
The specialist also drew attention to the dangers of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
According to her, people with fair skin and those living with albinism may face greater risks because of reduced melanin protection against UV radiation.
“And so with that less protection and being exposed to harsher UV radiation, there’s more skin damage that is seen as sunburns,” she said.
Salako identified chronic inflammation as a common factor in several pathways that may contribute to cancer.
“At the end of the day, almost everything leads to inflammation,” she said.
She explained that cancer can emerge when repeated damage to cells creates an opportunity for abnormal cells to survive and multiply.
“The problem with cancer is, it just takes one arrow in one cell and finds a way to hide. And that’s how cancer can develop,” Salako said.