From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
As Nigeria join rest of the world to mark the 2025 World Cancer Day with the theme “United by Unique” cancer advocates have asked Nigerians not to disregard the “blood in their stool”, stating that it’s a clear sign colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Research indicated that it can cause severe harm and death, and the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age especially from 50 years.
At an event to mark the 2025 World Cancer Day, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, Runcie Chidebe, said that colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Nigeria, unfortunately, less attention is paid to it.
He said: “Of the 8,114 Nigerians diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 5,912 died of the disease in 2022. Simply put, over 70 per cent of Nigerians diagnosed with colorectal cancer died in 2022. These deaths are not just numbers and figures, these deaths are patients, parents, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and relations who are breadwinners to their families. These are preventable deaths if these cancers are diagnosed early and treated early.
“Painfully, most of the cancer awareness and advocacy has been focused on breast, cervical and prostate cancers. Colorectal cancer is highly neglected, and Nigerians diagnosed with colorectal cancer are rarely seen nor heard of.
“Every day, we see the faces of breast cancer survivors, but we rarely see or hear the stories of those who have survived colorectal cancer. For this reason, Project PINK BLUE and the Global Colon Cancer Association have partnered and produced a documentary on ‘Blood in my Stool’, and we hope that the documentary will make a huge impact and draw attention to colorectal cancer in Nigeria and Africa.”
Minister Of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in his remarks, at the event asked the youths to be health champions in their communities, and encouraged them to desist from tobacco smoking stressing that multiple data from around the world have shown that smoking is responsible for 16 different types of cancer.
“In addition to that, do not ignore any blood in your stool. Blood in stool and rectal bleeding has been found to be a symptom of colon.(colorectal) cancer. Eat organic, limit alcohol, and have a healthy lifestyle. Being overweight can increase your risk of colon cancer,” he said.
He advocated that the documentary inspire action to reduce the burden of colon (colorectal) cancer in Nigeria. “Let it drive us to do more for youth health and cancer care in Nigeria,” said Olawande.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Yemisi Daodu, a colorectal cancer survivor who shared her story in the documentary, said, “In my case, I started seeing blood in my stool, and immediately I visited the hospital and it diagnosed that I have colon cancer. The diagnosis was early, and I started treatment instantly.
“Since then, I am doing great. This explains the benefit of early detection and treatment. You see, I did the treatment out of the country. In a country where over 40 per cent of Nigerians are poor, how many patients can travel abroad for cancer treatment?
“For this reason, I have always been compelled to share my story with Nigerians and get people to understand the health inequities so that patients can be placed at the centre of their care. I am so honoured to have this opportunity to use this documentary to share my story. I believe that it would save lives.”