By Ayoola Olasupo
As cancer cases continue to rise globally, there are concerns about the growing risk among young Nigerians, especially with the impact of their lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and delayed medical attention, which contribute to the burden of the disease.
Cancer is a broad group of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
It develops when genetic mutations cause cells to multiply instead of dying, often forming masses called tumours.
If untreated, the cells can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other organs.
A non-profit academic medical centre, the Cleveland Clinic, says the disease is the second most common cause of death in the United States.
There are over 100 types of cancer, depending on where they start in the body and the type of tissue they affect, but they are categorised into three broad classifications.
Solid cancer is considered the most common type of cancer, making up about 80 to 90 per cent of all cases.
It includes carcinoma, which forms in epithelial tissue such as the skin, breast, colon, and lungs, and sarcoma, which forms in bone and connective tissues.
Blood cancers are those that start in the blood cells or the lymphatic system. These include leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Mixed cancers, on the other hand, involve two subtypes: carcinosarcoma and adenosquamous carcinoma.
The World Health Organisation, in its April 2026 publication on cancer, disclosed that the ailment is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 alone, or nearly one in six deaths. It also identified the most common types as lung, breast, colon, rectum, and prostate cancers.
WHO noted that in 2026, Nigeria records an estimated 125,000 to 128,000 new cases and approximately 80,000 deaths, with the high mortality rate driven by the fact that over 70 per cent of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages.
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent type in women, with over 32,000 new cases, while prostate cancer leads among men, accounting for 14 per cent of the national burden, followed closely by cervical cancer.
To address these figures, experts have recommended six ways to prevent cancer.
Regular screening
An Oncologist and Chief Clinical Coordinator at Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre, Lagos State, Dr Muhammad Habeeb, explained that routine medical check-ups and cancer screenings increase the chances of detecting the disease early, as early diagnosis often leads to better survival outcomes and less aggressive treatment.
He said screening tests can identify abnormal changes in the body before symptoms appear. This is particularly important for cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
“The preventive measures we can take, not only to prevent but also to improve treatment outcomes, is to undergo screening to know the health status,” the oncologist added.
Take a healthy diet
He encouraged individuals to regularly eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
According to him, this can help protect against several types of cancer, as foods containing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants support the body’s natural defence system.
He further warned against processed foods, excessive sugar, and alcohol consumption, saying that poor dietary habits can contribute to inflammation and abnormal cell development over time, resulting in any form of cancer.
Habeeb said, “We need to improve our diet. Take more of our own local diet, and less of chemicals, canned diets, sugary drinks, and refined diets like noodles and spaghetti. We also need to minimise the use of alcohol. If you take less, you minimise alcohol intake.”
Avoid smoking
According to the oncologist, avoiding smoking remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of cancer, as smoking has been linked to several life-threatening cancers, including those of the lungs, throat, mouth, and pancreas.
He emphasised that exposure to smoke and other harmful chemicals can damage cells in the body, trigger abnormal growth over time, and increase the risk of cancer.
“If it is possible, also minimise inhalation of smoke. We now have smoke from a lot of places: from cars, generators, and industries, which pollutes the atmosphere. We need to find policies to limit the amount of pollution we also have in the air,” Habeeb stated.
Reduce self-medication
He said a possible reduction in unregulated or frequent self-medication should be encouraged because the continuous and unsupervised use of drugs can pose serious long-term health risks, noting the importance of using medicines only under proper medical guidance.
The oncologist added that there is a need to pay attention to the quality of drinking water, as unsafe or chemically contaminated water can contribute to serious health problems over time.
Know your family medical history
Also, a consultant oncologist, Dr Jubil Animasaun, emphasised the importance of knowing one’s family medical history to help identify cancer risks early and guide preventive decisions, noting that certain cancers tend to run in families due to inherited genetic factors.
He said, “Individuals with a strong family history of cancer may have higher risk levels and may require earlier or more frequent screening. This allows doctors to monitor potential warning signs more closely.”
Maintain a healthy weight
Animashaun explained that maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing certain cancers because excess body fat is associated with hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation, which could contribute to cancer development.
He added that studies have shown strong links between obesity and cancers such as breast, prostate, kidney, and colorectal cancers.
The oncologist said fat tissue can influence how hormones like oestrogen and insulin behave in the body.
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