Nigeria's Cancer Crisis: Families Face Financial Ruin Amid Soaring Treatment Costs

In Nigeria, the battle against cancer is becoming increasingly desperate, with many families finding themselves unable to cope with the soaring costs of treatment. For a family in Lagos, the past fifteen years have been a harrowing journey marked by a string of cancer diagnoses that have left them financially and emotionally scarred. It began in 2010 when Chukwuma, a promising 24-year-old architect, was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. The family’s struggle to navigate the healthcare system and afford treatment drained their resources. Despite their efforts, Chukwuma passed away in 2015, leaving a profound void in their lives. Barely a year later, tragedy struck again as the family patriarch was diagnosed with jaw cancer, which eventually metastasized, leading to his death in 2019. Just five years later, in 2024, the family faced another crushing blow with the diagnosis of advanced uterine cancer for the mother. The mother's late diagnosis significantly limited her treatment options, forcing the family to seek care at a private cancer treatment center in Victoria Island, Lagos. The costs were astronomical; they had to pay N3.5 million just for admission and initial diagnostics, not including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgeries. With ten planned radiation sessions estimated to cost between N1.6 million and N2 million, the family finds themselves in a seemingly endless cycle of financial strain. Their experience is not unique. The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment estimates that Nigeria sees over 120,000 new cancer cases annually. Francis Durosinmi-Etti, Chief Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, notes a disturbing uptick in diagnoses, particularly among younger populations. "Colorectal cancer is now being seen in individuals as young as 24," he reveals, highlighting the worrying trend of delayed diagnoses. The financial burden of cancer treatment is staggering. A single round of chemotherapy can cost upwards of a million naira, a figure that remains out of reach for many. With the devaluation of the naira exacerbating the situation, the costs of cancer care have become one of the most catastrophic healthcare expenditures in the country. Experts warn that the reliance on imported medical equipment and inadequate public healthcare infrastructure are significant contributing factors to the rising costs. The financial disparities in access to treatment are glaring. For instance, Radium-223, a drug crucial for extending survival in metastatic prostate cancer, can cost between $43,000 and $57,000 for a six-cycle treatment in Nigeria—an eye-watering sum that few can afford without significant financial assistance. Survivor stories, like that of Elizabeth Awo-Ejeh, offer a glimmer of hope amid the despair. After enduring eight rounds of chemotherapy and 25 radiation sessions for breast cancer, Elizabeth is now in remission. Her journey was not without struggle; she faced financial ruin and turned to social media for help. A cancer foundation responded, providing the financial support she desperately needed. Now, she advocates for early detection and encourages others to prioritize their health. Healthcare professionals, including oncology pharmacists, stress the urgent need for interventions to alleviate the financial burdens of cancer treatment. They advocate for lower drug prices and increased awareness around prevention and early detection, as they believe these measures could significantly reduce the staggering number of new cases. As the cancer crisis deepens in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for systemic changes to ensure that all individuals have access to the treatment they need, without falling into financial ruin. The stories of families like Chukwuma's serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of this ongoing battle, calling for immediate action from both the government and health sector stakeholders to alleviate the suffering of those affected.