A medical doctor and cancer researcher, Dr. Maryam Nasir Aliyu, has raised alarm over what she describes as a growing but underreported crisis in breast cancer care in Kano and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
Dr. Maryam, who heads the Department of Human Anatomy at Northwest University, Kano, and coordinates the Nigerian Cancer Society in the region, said many women are dying—not because they aren’t diagnosed on time, but because they cannot afford treatment.
“For years, my work in cancer advocacy has focused on raising awareness about breast cancer signs, symptoms, prevention, and the critical importance of early detection,” she told reporters.
She said screening campaigns using tools like BreastLight have helped detect early symptoms in thousands of women, but the situation is taking a grim turn.
“While this progress is encouraging, a deeply troubling trend has emerged,” she said. “A surge in breast complaints, many of which, while benign—such as fibroadenomas, mastitis, and occasional breast abscesses—are tragically confirmed as malignancies.”
She noted that the real crisis begins after diagnosis.
“What truly constitutes a crisis, however, is the subsequent journey for these diagnosed patients. A significant number are lost to follow-up, abandon treatment, or never even commence care due to the overwhelming financial burden of cancer treatment.”
According to Dr. Maryam, data from their ongoing OncoBiometrics project, which focuses on developing a new breast cancer screening method, shows disturbing trends.
“The data is stark and heartbreaking. On one particularly difficult day, we attempted to contact over 20 patients recruited in the past two years; only 12 were still alive,” she said.
“And just last week, the reality became even more alarming. Out of 40 patients we tried to reach, only six were contactable—and three of those were male breast cancer patients,” she added.
She said most of the women had died not because of late diagnosis or lack of medical personnel, but because they had no means to pay for treatment.
“This distressing pattern has become even more pronounced,” she lamented. “The overwhelming majority of these women have succumbed to their illness, not due to a lack of diagnosis, but because they simply cannot afford the life-saving care they desperately need.”
She urged the government, civil society groups, and the public to act.
“This is an urgent call to action to the government, civil society organizations, cancer advocates, and concerned individuals.”
She added, “After diagnosis, what next? The current reality in Kano paints a grim picture where a diagnosis of breast cancer often becomes a death sentence due to financial constraints, not medical incurability.”
Dr. Maryam called for concrete steps to close the gap between diagnosis and access to treatment.
“We implore anyone in a position to help – policymakers, philanthropists, healthcare providers, and community leaders – to recognize the devastating impact of this post-diagnosis chasm.”
She concluded by urging collective responsibility, “We need collaboration to establish sustainable frameworks that ensure access to affordable and comprehensive cancer care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.”
