In 2022 alone, the country recorded 18,019 new cases of prostate cancer, resulting in 11,443 deaths. On average, this translates to roughly 31 men losing their lives to the disease every day. Statistics further indicate that prostate cancer is now the most common and deadliest cancer among Nigerian men, with incidence and mortality rates of 32.8 and 16.3 per 100,000 men, respectively.
Medical experts describe the situation as dire. According to available records, around 80 per cent of cases are diagnosed at an incurable stage, leading to a death rate more than double that of North America. The high mortality has been largely attributed to late detection, the high cost of treatment, and limited access to specialist care.
Dr. Adebayo stressed the importance of awareness, screening, and timely medical intervention. “Men should not wait until they have reached the advanced stage of prostate cancer before seeking medical attention,” he advised. He further noted that while no preventive measure guarantees complete protection against prostate cancer, early detection remains the most effective strategy.
The symposium, themed “Prostate Cancer: Early Detection, Timely Action, Saving Lives,” was organised by the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) in collaboration with the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Foundation (OAF) and held at the Ibadan Business School in Bodija, Ibadan. The event also commemorated the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), former Governor of Ondo State.
Addressing factors contributing to Nigeria’s high mortality rate, Dr. Adebayo identified poor health-seeking habits, stigma around discussing reproductive health, lack of awareness, misinformation, and harmful religious and cultural practices. He also pointed to systemic challenges, including outdated biopsy techniques, delays in obtaining reports, limited medical facilities, and prohibitive costs for staging scans.
Experts warn that without significant improvements in public education, healthcare infrastructure, and specialist availability, the silent toll of prostate cancer on Nigerian men is likely to rise.
Experts Call for Unified Action to Combat Prostate Cancer in Nigeria
Efforts to curb prostate cancer in Nigeria are gaining momentum, with advocates and medical experts emphasizing early detection, lifestyle interventions, and collaborative healthcare approaches as key to saving lives.
“Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in sub-Saharan Africa, yet it is one of the cancers where early detection offers the greatest chance for survival,” she said. She lamented that “silence, stigma, inadequate awareness, and delayed health-seeking behaviour continue to cost our men their lives.”
Anyanwu-Akeredolu called for a multidisciplinary approach to fighting the disease, involving experts in urology, oncology, pathology, public health, lifestyle medicine, patient navigation, and community advocacy. “The fight against prostate cancer is not one we can win in silos. It demands unity, commitment, and sustained action. Together, let us advance men’s health, strengthen early detection, and save lives,” she said.
“Strategies such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, stress management, good sleep, and maintaining strong social connections all contribute to overall wellness and can help reduce risk,” she explained. She also referenced studies suggesting that regular ejaculation may support prostate health by flushing out toxins, while lycopene, a compound found in tomatoes, has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Dr. Akeredolu-Michaels cautioned that these lifestyle measures are supportive, not substitutes for medical screening and early detection. “Eating tomatoes or having regular ejaculation alone won’t prevent prostate cancer. It’s important to combine these approaches with regular check-ups, proper nutrition, and overall healthy living,” she said.
The symposium, held in Ibadan under the theme “Prostate Cancer: Early Detection, Timely Action, Saving Lives,” brought together medical professionals, advocacy groups, and policymakers to galvanize action against the disease. The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) is also working to improve cancer care and control in Nigeria.
As awareness grows, experts agree that only a coordinated approach involving government, medical practitioners, advocacy groups, and the public can effectively address Nigeria’s prostate cancer epidemic and improve survival rates.
“Men should take care of themselves. Prostate cancer is the number one cancer among males in Nigeria. If you assemble 100 men, about seven are likely to have it,” Omonisi said. “The disease can be very silent, and sometimes it’s only detected at an advanced stage. This is not just a Nigerian problem; studies have shown that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men of African descent worldwide.”
He stressed the importance of regular health checks, particularly the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which can help detect early signs of the disease.
Experts argue that while the Federal Government has made progress by establishing six cancer centres of excellence nationwide, gaps remain—especially in rural areas where awareness about prostate cancer is low. Omonisi highlighted the need for more advocacy at the grassroots level and a national screening program to ensure early detection.
“The cost of screening and treatment is a major barrier. A PSA test costs about N11,000, and imported medications are expensive. We need government support for affordable treatment and indigenous drug production through clinical trials,” he said.
Omonisi also called for a harmonized national guideline for prostate cancer treatment, pointing out that inconsistencies across institutions can affect patient outcomes.
“Boys are raised to endure pain and hide vulnerability, which affects their health-seeking behavior,” she explained. “Awareness must be increased, and cultural and religious misconceptions about cancer need to be addressed.”
Sarimiye acknowledged government efforts to reduce the financial burden of cancer through health funds, but stressed that collaboration with civil society organizations and public-private partnerships is crucial to expand access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.
Promise Ihezie, Chief Operating Officer of BRECAN, urged men to be proactive about their health. “Understanding prostate cancer, seeking early detection, and going for annual checkups are key to preventing untimely death. Men should speak up, seek help, and not endure symptoms silently,” he said.
The collective message from medical stakeholders is clear: prostate cancer is a ticking time bomb in Nigeria, but with awareness, early screening, and government and community support, it is still possible to act before it claims more lives.