At the heart of the initiative was a compelling reminder: many cancers are preventable, and for two of the deadliest—cervical and liver cancer—vaccines already exist.
“We don’t want people dying from diseases we can prevent. We already have vaccines for liver and cervical cancer. We just need to get people to use them,” said Prof. Juliet Iwelunmor, a principal investigator from Washington University, during an interview with PUNCH Healthwise.
Designing Solutions for Policy Impact
The designathon was organised by the Cancer Control Centre for Research on Implementation Science and Equity, with a vision to bridge the persistent gap between academic research and real-world policy impact. Participants included university researchers, students, health advocates, and community members.
Six teams competed, presenting strategies to translate scientific research into public policy tools such as briefs and campaigns. According to Prof. Iwelunmor, the contest aimed to do more than brainstorm ideas—it sought tangible, scalable, and community-anchored solutions.
“We wanted something innovative, grounded in lived experience, and practical. We’re not just talking research—we’re talking about real policies that can save lives,” she explained.
One of the most powerful statistics shared at the event: 22 Nigerian women die every day from cervical cancer, a disease that is largely preventable through early screening and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Winning Project: CANREACT
Emerging as the winner was Team CANREACT, a youth-led group with a solution rooted in community engagement and public health equity. Composed of pharmacists and public health scholars, the team beat out finalists Team Trident and Team Echo to claim a ₦1 million prize.
CANREACT, which stands for Cancer, Research, and Action, is more than just a name—it reflects the group’s mission to connect policymakers, researchers, and local communities in addressing cancer head-on.
“We identified Egor Local Government in Edo State as a hotspot for cervical cancer. Despite the presence of a teaching hospital and tertiary institutions, the burden is high. That’s where we began our work,” said Esiosa Iyagbaye, pharmacist and project director of CANREACT.
“We believe policies only make an impact when they include the voices of the people most affected. That’s why our solution puts the community at the center.”
Sustaining the Fight: What’s Next?
Following the designathon, the top ideas—including CANREACT’s—will be presented at a high-level simulation policy table, where Federal Ministry of Health officials and other stakeholders will engage directly with the proposals.
The timing is significant, as Nigeria is currently updating its national cancer control policies. Prof. Iwelunmor emphasized that the process must include community-driven insights to ensure lasting impact.
“This is not just about writing new documents. It’s about listening to communities, researchers, and the youth, and acting on what they’re telling us,” she said.
Progress and Challenges in Cancer Prevention
Dr. Folahanmi Akinsolu, a research fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and associate professor at Leeds City University, praised the initiative for promoting inclusive dialogue around cancer prevention. He also highlighted improvements in awareness and HPV vaccine uptake, noting two successful rollouts in October 2023 and May 2024.
“We’re definitely in a better place than we were ten years ago. Grassroots awareness is increasing. Pregnant women are getting the hepatitis B vaccine for their babies. But we still face vaccine hesitancy and misinformation,” Akinsolu said.
He stressed the need for sustainability, especially in resource-constrained settings.
“We need strategies that can endure even when funding dwindles. That’s why solutions like CANREACT, built on collaboration and community, are so promising.”
Final Word: Prevention Is Within Reach
The message from Abuja is clear: Nigeria has the tools to save lives from preventable cancers, but success depends on broad-based commitment—from government, researchers, communities, and individuals alike.
- Liver cancer can be prevented with the Hepatitis B vaccine.
- Cervical cancer is largely avoidable through HPV vaccination and screening.
- Awareness and timely intervention are key.
As the nation looks toward the 2030 global target of cancer elimination, events like the Policy4Cancer Designathon offer hope—and proof—that when science, youth energy, and grassroots insight come together, real change is possible.