Prof. Nuhu Dakum, President of the Association of Urological Surgeons of Nigeria (NAUS), has raised concerns over a rising number of bladder and testicular cancer cases in the country. He said conditions once considered rare are now appearing more frequently in clinics nationwide.
“Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among Nigerian men and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, we are now seeing more cancers of other urological organs, such as the bladder and testes,” Dakum told PUNCH Healthwise. “I do not have exact figures offhand, but the number is significant and growing rapidly.”
Nigeria records an estimated 127,000 cancer cases annually, resulting in about 80,000 deaths, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate. He highlighted the statistics during the inauguration of a new Oncology Centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina.
The World Health Organization predicts over 35 million new cancer cases worldwide by 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million in 2022.
Testicular cancer develops when malignant cells form in one or both testicles, which are walnut-shaped glands responsible for producing sperm and testosterone. While serious, the Cleveland Clinic notes that testicular cancer is highly treatable and often curable.
Bladder cancer, although relatively rare, starts in the lining of the bladder, a small organ that stores urine.
Dakum, a professor of surgery at the University of Jos, noted that prostate cancer cases have also increased steadily in recent years. He attributed the rise partly to better public awareness and improved diagnostic facilities.
“The positive development is that more patients are now being diagnosed at earlier stages, when treatment and even cure are possible. Previously, most men presented at very late stages, leaving limited options,” he said.
He urged men not to wait for symptoms before seeking medical evaluation. “The best approach is to take a PSA test, or Prostate-Specific Antigen test, rather than wait for symptoms, which often appear too late,” Dakum advised. He emphasized routine check-ups, especially for men with a family history of prostate cancer.
While the risk factors for urinary and reproductive cancers have not changed significantly, Dakum highlighted age, race, family history, and genetics as major contributors.
On prevention, he encouraged healthy living. “A balanced diet low in fats and animal proteins, high in fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise improve overall health and strengthen the body’s ability to fight disease, particularly when detected early,” he said.
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