Toyin Oni Foundation has called for stronger cancer prevention measures, expanded screening programmes and affordable health insurance, as it marked 15 years of cancer awareness campaigns with a renewed push to reduce deaths and protect families from the financial burden of treatment.
 
The call came amid the Lagos State Government’s renewed commitment to health financing reforms aimed at expanding insurance coverage and reducing Nigerians’ dependence on out-of-pocket payments for medical care.
 
Speaking at the foundation’s 15th anniversary ceremony in Lagos, themed “Beyond Awareness: Understanding Cancer From Prevention to Survivorship,” its Chairperson, Bukola Smith, stressed that early detection remained critical to improving survival rates for breast, cervical and prostate cancers, noting that more Nigerians needed access to reliable information, screening and appropriate treatment.
 
Smith said the foundation had spent 15 years taking cancer awareness campaigns to communities, including Akoka, Yaba, Shomolu, Ebute-Metta, Surulere and Ogudu, while extending its activities to rural areas where access to cancer information and healthcare services remained limited.
 
She called for a more coordinated national approach that would move cancer advocacy beyond awareness to prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and survivorship support.
 
According to her, cancer remains a major health challenge in Nigeria, while low public awareness, financial constraints and limited access to appropriate healthcare continue to undermine efforts to improve outcomes.
 
Smith also highlighted the importance of age in cancer risk, stressing the need for sustained screening and public education, particularly as people grow older.
 
She urged government and other stakeholders to provide stronger financial support for cancer patients, noting that the high cost of treatment could prevent many people from obtaining timely and appropriate care.