. Radiologist advises female students to avoid smoking, multiple sex partners
. As Albinism association seeks free-skin treatment for members
BLESSING TAIWO, Lagos, ELIZABETH VINCENT, Yenagoa, with agency reports
The World Health Organization (WHO), in its new global analysis, in collaboration with International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified 30 preventable causes of cancer.
According to WHO’s publication on its official website in commemoration of 2026 World Cancer Day, February 4, up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented.
Drawing on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, the study disclosed tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer, globally responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections (10%) and alcohol consumption (3%).
Other causes include high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution and ultraviolet radiation.
The analysis estimates that 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022, around 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable causes.
The findings highlight the enormous potential of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden.
Three cancer types – lung, stomach and cervical cancer – accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women, globally.
Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control, and author of the study said, “this is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent.
“By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start.”
The study further stated that the burden of preventable cancer was substantially higher in men than in women, with 45% of new cancer cases in men compared with 30% in women. In men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9% and alcohol at 4%.
Among women globally, infections accounted for 11% of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6% and high body mass index at 3%.
Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study noted that the analysis is a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks.
“Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden,” Dr Soerjomataram said.
The study also showed that preventable cancer varied widely between regions. Among women, preventable cancers ranged from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Among men, the highest burden was observed in East Asia at 57%, and the lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean at 28%.
These differences reflect varying exposure to behavioural, environmental, occupational and infectious risk factors, as well as differences in socioeconomic development, national prevention policies, and health system capacity.
The findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies that include strong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and healthier food and physical activity environments.
The global organization, therefore, called for coordinated action across sectors, from health and education to energy, transport and labour, to prevent millions of families from experiencing the burden of a cancer diagnosis.
Meanwhile , The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has called for urgent, inclusive, and sustained action to address the disproportionate burden of skin cancer among persons with Albinism (PWAs) in Nigeria.
Dr Bisi Bamishe, national president of AAN, made the call on wednesday, as the global community commemorates world cancer day.
Feb. 4 is set aside to commemorate world cancer day to mark the anniversary of the signing of the charter of paris against cancer.
This historic document was signed on Feb. 4, 2000, at the world summit against cancer for the new millennium in paris, france,
the 2026 edition has the theme ”united by unique” part of the 2025–2027 global campaign.
According to Bamishe, world cancer day is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness, strengthening prevention efforts, promoting early detection and mobilising collective action against cancer.
”The theme “united by unique” recognises that while every cancer experience is different, unity and equity remain central to effective response and care.”
She noted that for persons with albinism, skin cancer was a daily and life threatening reality adding that due to the absence of melanin, their skin was highly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, placing them at extreme risk of UV induced skin cancer.
”Skin cancer can affect anyone at any age and on any part of the body, its impact on persons with albinism is particularly severe and often fatal when access to care is delayed, across Nigeria and many other countries, the challenge is not the absence of prevention or early-detection knowledge, but the lack of access.”
”Many persons with albinism have never seen a dermatologist, and far too many cases are detected late when treatment becomes more complex, expensive, and less effective, this should no longer be the norm.”
The AAN national president however acknowledged and commended ongoing government efforts, particularly the planned inauguration of free skin cancer screening centres for persons with albinism.
She noted that early detection was a critical step toward reducing cancer related deaths within the community and emphasised that screening without access to treatment was inadequate.
”Early detection saves lives, but screening alone is not enough,the high cost of skin cancer treatment remains a major barrier,was
therefore call on the federal government to include free skin cancer treatment for persons with albinism under the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) so that no one is denied care because of poverty she said.
She further urged that as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy, the federal and state governments should institutionalize the provision of free UV-protective umbrellas, sunscreen, and wide-brimmed hats for persons with albinism.
”These are not luxury items,they are basic survival tools that protect lives and reduce long-term health risks for persons with albinism.” she said.
Bamishe also called on government institutions development partners civil society organisations the media, and members of the public to stand in solidarity with persons affected by cancer.
She urged them to support research, advocate for inclusive and accessible healthcare, and strengthen policies that protect vulnerable populations.
”Together we can build a world where cancer is preventable, manageable and curable, and where persons with albinism are no longer left behind,” she added.
Incidentally, a Radiologist, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, has advised female students to abstain from smoking and keep one partner to avoid Cervical Cancer.
Okoye, the Director of the University of Nigeria, Center For Clinical Trials, gave the advice on Wednesday in Enugu while sensitising students of Queens School Enugu on “Contemporary Issues On Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention” to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day.
The cancer awareness outreach was organised by the Queens School Enugu Old Girls Association (QSEOGA), in collaboration with a Non Governmental Organization, Breast Without Spots (BWS).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Cancer Day is globally observed every Feb. 4 and the 2026 theme is “United by Unique”.
The radiologist said that many cancers, especially breast and cervical cancers in women could be caught early, treated successfully, and even be prevented.
She added that girls aged from nine years to 18 years were the perfect age to learn about cancer now, ‘so you can stay healthy for life.”
Okoye, who is also an old girl of the school, described cervical cancer as a “big problem in Nigeria”.
According to her, almost all cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
“It takes many years for HPV to turn into cancer, so it usually shows up in women 30 years to 50 years and above
“But girls, your age can prevent it completely, ” she said.
Okoye, who is also the Head of Radiology Department, UNTH, Enugu, said that the HPV vaccine protected against the dangerous types of HPV that caused up to 90 per cent of cervical cancers.
She said: “In Nigeria, the government gives this vaccine free to girls from nine years to 14 years.
“It’s safe, quick, and one of the best ways to stop cervical cancer forever, ” Okoye said.
She advised the students to abstain from certain risk behaviours such as smoking and keeping multiple partners while growing up.
“For you now, prevention is everything!
“Get the HPV vaccine, if you’re in the age group (9–14 ideally); talk to your parents or school nurse.
“It’s cancer prevention in two or three shots, ” she said.
The professor also advised the students to eat good food, play sports, avoid smoking or too much alcohol when growing up.
“No fear, just action, these cancers are scary to hear about, but knowledge takes away the fear”.
Speaking, Mrs Maureen Atuonwu, the Enugu State President of Queens old girls, said they decided to partner with the BWS due to the devastating effect of cancer in Nigeria.
Atuonwu regretted that she lost her 20-year-old undergraduate daughter few years ago to cancer due to lack of knowledge and awareness on the early detection and prevention.
“If I have had this kind of knowledge, my daughter would have lived,” she said.
She told the students to take advantage of the tutorials to better their lives and loved ones.
In her remarks, the National Secretary of QSEOGA, Dr Amaka Orji, said the awareness was initiated by the national body of the association to sensitise students on cancer prevention and treatment.
Orji thanked the BWS led by Prof Okoye, the school authorities and students for participating in the programme and urged the students to take advantage of the training.
The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Seniorita Okoroafor, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the organisers of the conference and the old girls.
She promised that they would practice what they have learnt and take it down to their loved ones.
Highlight of the outreach was a practical demonstration of breast self examination by one of the nurses.
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