National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria | June 2025
Introduction
In June 2025, Move Against Cancer Africa (MACA) hosted a focused workshop titled “Seed and Grow: Healthy Kidney, Healthy You” at the Radiotherapy Department of the National Hospital, Abuja, to mark World Kidney Cancer Day. Held in partnership with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC), the workshop brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and cancer advocates to address the rising burden of kidney cancer in Nigeria and explore collaborative solutions to tackle it.
Key discussions
Findings from the Global Patient Survey of Kidney Cancer patients in Nigeria
Dr. Abiodun Egwuenu, Head of Research and Strategy at MACA, presented findings from Nigeria’s first participation in the Global Patient Survey on Kidney Cancer, a project coordinated by the IKCC. The data, collected from 56 kidney cancer patients, revealed that a large proportion of patients (about 80%) were diagnosed between 2023 and 2024. Encouragingly, 66% of these diagnoses were made at the early stages (Stage 1 or 2), and about 75% of respondents reported being cancer-free following treatment. Most patients experienced relatively prompt diagnosis, with the majority receiving confirmation within 1–6 months after about 3–5 hospital visits.
Treatment methods varied, with oral therapies being the most common (91%), followed by surgical interventions (61%) and immunotherapy (38%). A majority (82%) adhered consistently to treatment plans, and 96% of patients felt involved in their care decisions, often receiving the most support from their doctors.
Panel Discussions: Gaps in Kidney Cancer Management
The panel session, moderated by Mrs. Ogechukwu Akabuike (MACA), featured expert insights from Dr. Uzor Onwuasoanya, a consultant urologist and kidney transplant surgeon at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja. He emphasised that kidney cancer is frequently misdiagnosed in Nigeria, as symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or weight loss are often mistaken for malaria, ulcers, or jaundice.
“…But most of our patients present late, so all we can do is manage the disease; the reason for advocacy is for people to understand the need for early diagnosis…”
~ Dr Uzo Onwuasoanya
Dr. Onwuasoanya highlighted the lack of trained personnel and proper diagnostic tools, particularly in primary healthcare settings where most patients first seek help. He noted that Nigeria currently has only seven functional cancer centres and just one PET/CT scan centre nationwide. Tools such as MRI and CT scans remain prohibitively expensive and are not subsidised, even under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He also stressed that underreporting of kidney cancer remains a concern due to weak data systems, making it difficult to understand the full scale of the problem and plan accordingly.
Collaborative Action Planning
Following the panel, participants entered a collaborative action planning session to identify and prioritise gaps in kidney cancer care at various levels. The session surfaced challenges across four main areas:
National-Level Issues:
- Lack of national policy for kidney cancer screening and early detection
- Weak referral pathways between primary, secondary, and tertiary care
- Inadequate government funding for cancer care and infrastructure
- Poor integration of kidney cancer into NHIS coverage
- Limited access to essential diagnostic tools like CT, MRI, and PET scans
- Shortage of functional treatment centres across the country
Institutional Gaps:
- Insufficient training opportunities for health professionals on cancer diagnosis and care
- Inadequate diagnostic and treatment facilities within hospitals
- Poor data collection and reporting systems
- Absence of a multidisciplinary approach to kidney cancer management
- Fragmented communication between departments and facilities
Healthcare Worker Challenges:
- Limited awareness of early signs and symptoms
- Delays in referring patients for appropriate testing
- High workloads and limited time for patient education
- Need for continuous professional development in oncology care
Patient-Related Barriers:
- Financial hardship and out-of-pocket costs
- Self-medication and delayed hospital visits
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage medical intervention
- Lack of knowledge about kidney cancer symptoms and treatment options
- Denial or minimisation of symptoms, leading to late-stage presentation
Recommendations
The key recommendations from the panel discussion include:
- Expand the NHIS to include kidney cancer diagnosis and treatment services.
- Improve access to affordable diagnostic tools like CT, MRI, and PET-CT scans across more hospitals.
- Provide regular training for healthcare workers on the early detection and management of kidney cancer.
- Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public on symptoms and the importance of early screening.
- Strengthen data systems for better tracking, reporting, and research on kidney cancer cases.
- Establish a national working group to coordinate cancer care policies and improve collaboration across sectors.
Conclusion
The “Seed and Grow” workshop created a collaborative space for shared learning, practical reflection, and coordinated action to address kidney cancer in Nigeria. With a growing network of stakeholders and renewed focus on evidence-based solutions, MACA remains committed to improving early detection, access to care, and survival outcomes for kidney cancer patients across the country.
Stay connected with MACA to learn more about our ongoing efforts to improve cancer care across Africa.
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