| dc.description.abstract | The International Network of Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR, 2004) has
identified cancer as a major health problem in Nigeria, as in most other African countries.
Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer in the Nigerian female and it is the leading
cause of death in Nigerian women (Ayinde et al.,1998). Unfortunately, the importance of
cancer as a health problem has been underplayed or totally neglected over the years by all
agencies that have been advising or financing health projects in Africa. Agencies such as
the World Bank and USAID give priority to infectious diseases and infant and maternal
health. The apparent neglect of cancer by these agencies and the lack of emphasis on this
problem has resulted in few cancer treatment facilities and cancer therapists (WHO,
2002).
The Ibadan Cancer Registry, one of six cancer registries in Nigeria, a population based
registry serving a population of 1.22 million within 70 square kilometers in Ibadan
in the Oyo state of South West Nigeria, reported that the current estimated number of
cancer cases in Nigeria is 100,000 at the present time; by 2010, it is estimated that
500,000 new cases will be diagnosed annually, 22.6% of which will be cervical cancer
(INCTR, 2004).
Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in Nigeria.
Data have suggested that the maximum incidence occurs at age 50. In Nigeria, there is
very little information about the prevalence rates in the general population. However,
published studies have suggested that cervical cancer rates are higher than in most
European countries. More recent studies have suggested that the incidence of cervical
cancer in Nigeria is increasing (Okobia, 2003). Because most women in Nigeria are still not encouraged to have Pap tests, cervical cancer mortality rates are rising. The
increasing mortality and morbidity rate in Nigeria from cervical cancer is a public health
issue that needs to be addressed. | |
