By Archibong Esuene
Cancer has ceased to be a distant or urban disease and is now firmly present among communities in Benue South, medical experts have warned, calling for urgent awareness, early detection and strengthened response to curb rising deaths.
This was the consensus at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and public lecture of the Idoma Medical Doctors’ Foundation (IMDF), where Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, Dr. Samuel A. Otene, delivered the annual lecture titled “Stemming the Rising Prevalence of Cancer.”
Dr. Otene, a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), said the lecture was not about abstract global statistics but about the lived realities of people in Benue South.
Speaking as "a proud Idoma son,” he noted that cancer now affects local families, mothers, fathers, children and healthcare workers, and is quietly shaping health outcomes in the region, often without sufficient public awareness.
According to him, cancer is currently the second leading cause of death globally and poses an increasing threat in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, where over 70 per cent of cancer-related deaths now occur.
He explained that the high mortality rate is not because cancer is more aggressive in such regions, but largely due to late detection, inadequate treatment, and widespread fear, myths and misinformation surrounding the disease.
“Benue South is not exempt from this burden,” Dr. Otene stressed, urging stakeholders to prioritise public education, early screening and capacity building within the healthcare system.
Earlier in his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), commended medical doctors in Nigeria for their commitment to professional ethics and humanity.
Arc. Echono said no society could make meaningful progress without a healthy population, adding that appreciation and support for medical workers should remain a national priority.
Speaking on the AGM theme, “Stemming the Rising Prevalence of Cancer,” he praised IMDF for placing cancer awareness at the forefront of its annual agenda and challenged medical professionals to extend advocacy efforts to rural communities.
He also advised younger professionals to look beyond government employment by engaging in productive investments, noting that borrowing for meaningful ventures was not wrong, unlike borrowing for social or personal indulgences.
Also speaking, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of FUHSO, Professor Innocent Ujah, said cancer is real but can be effectively managed if detected early.
However, Prof. Ujah expressed concern that the activities of some prayer houses and so-called miracle centres have negatively affected cancer management in Nigeria, leading to avoidable deaths due to delayed medical intervention.
He called for aggressive public enlightenment, stakeholder capacity building and stronger warnings against late presentation of cancer cases.
The AGM also featured the election of new IMDF executives, with Prof. Steve Abah emerging as President.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Abah pledged to consolidate on the achievements of previous leaderships in line with the foundation’s core objectives.
Other elected officers include Dr. Paul Ogwuche, Benue State Commissioner for Health, as Vice President; Dr. Thomas Omochaka, Secretary General; Dr. Yemisi Anebi, Treasurer; Dr. Godwin Aoabole Ekoja, Financial Secretary; and Dr. Prince Boniface Onoja, Public Relations Officer.
Also elected as Ex-Officio members were Prof. Silas Ochejele and Dr. Felix Ogboh.
The event ended with renewed calls for sustained awareness, early detection and community-based engagement to reduce the growing cancer burden in Benue South and beyond.
