Clinical oncologist and Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, Dr Omolola Salako, has raised concern over the increasing number of young Nigerians being diagnosed with cancer, saying some of the cases are difficult to predict and often fall outside the age brackets targeted by routine screening.
Salako raised the concern on Sunday, noting that oncologists were increasingly seeing cancer cases among Nigerians aged between 18 and 39.
She said the trend was particularly worrying because many young adults are considered too young for conventional age-based cancer screening, meaning symptoms may not immediately raise suspicion of cancer.
The oncologist urged Nigerians not to ignore persistent or recurring symptoms, stressing that people should seek medical attention when unusual symptoms fail to resolve.
She also identified tobacco exposure as a major preventable risk factor for cancer, saying tobacco contains more than 3,000 chemicals capable of triggering cancer. She warned that the risk extends to people exposed to second-hand smoke.
Salako further cautioned against assuming that alternative smoking products are necessarily safe, noting that tobacco-containing products, including electronic cigarettes, remain a concern.
On cancer prevention, she said about 40 per cent of cancers could be prevented through measures including vaccination, healthier lifestyles and reduction of exposure to known risk factors.
She encouraged Nigerians to make greater use of primary healthcare services for preventive care, including vaccination against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV), which are associated with certain cancers.
Salako also stressed the importance of early detection, noting that while not all cancers can be prevented, some can be detected and treated more effectively when diagnosed at an early stage.
She called for stronger public education to encourage Nigerians to seek specialist medical care when symptoms persist rather than relying on self-treatment or waiting for the condition to worsen.
The oncologist identified the high cost of cancer treatment as another major challenge, saying some patients abandon treatment because they cannot sustain the financial burden.
According to her, cancer treatment can involve several approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy, depending on the type and stage of the disease. She said inadequate health insurance coverage further compounds the problem for many patients.
Salako urged Nigerians to prioritise regular medical check-ups and appropriate age-specific screening. She also advised people with a strong family history of cancer to consult specialists and consider appropriate genetic assessments.
She said persistent symptoms should not be ignored, particularly when initial treatment fails to resolve them, urging patients to seek a second medical opinion where necessary.
The warning comes amid broader concerns over delayed cancer diagnosis and limited access to affordable treatment in Nigeria. A 2026 study involving Nigerian breast cancer patients, in which Salako was a co-author, highlighted systemic barriers affecting cancer care and the need for improved coordination, psychosocial support and community engagement.
Salako maintained that early presentation and appropriate treatment could improve outcomes, urging Nigerians to pay closer attention to changes in their bodies and seek medical evaluation promptly.
