A provider of digital integrated healthcare services, Oncopadi Technologies, will help nothing less than 5,000 newly diagnosed women in Nigeria to battle breast cancer.
This laudable initiative tagged Breast Cancer Access Navigation and Testing Programme, was launched last week at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) in Abuja in partnership with a multinational healthcare company, Roche.
Targeted at supporting breast cancer patients across the country, the programme will help to improve early detection and provide timely, accurate diagnosis of breast cancer by providing free immunohistochemistry tests, multidisciplinary care and navigation services for 5,000 Nigerian women.
Meanwhile, the Global Cancer Observatory has projected that 32,000 new breast cancer cases will be recorded in Nigeria in 2025.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Abuja on Thursday, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Chief Executive Officer of Oncopadi Technologies, Omolola Salako, observed that the statistics implied that approximately 2,700 cases would be detected each month and 88 cases each day.
Salako said, “For five seconds, I want you to imagine what it feels like for the 88 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer today. Now imagine, if you will, the mental, physical and financial barriers breast cancer raises, when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, a ton of emotions consume her, fear, anger and confusion.
“In a matter of weeks, she would realise the direct cost of her treatment would be between N2 million and N30 million or maybe more. Her indirect cost of care may even cost her more if her source of livelihood (her job or business) is threatened. For example, multiple hospital visits for diagnosis, treatment and management of side effects may consume her time and prevent her from her earning potential.”
The oncologist noted that the situation could be overwhelming, frightening and distressing for any woman diagnosed with breast cancer and pointed out that in such a state of mind, many women might make uninformed decisions regarding their healthcare.
According to her, Nigeria has the highest age-standardised breast cancer mortality rate in the world.
The oncologist observed that delays in accessing care, missing life-saving treatments and the aggressive nature of breast cancer in Nigerian women particularly those with triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer, contribute to poor survival outcomes.
Salako observed that in a 2014 study that compared the three-year survival rates, Nigeria ranked lowest among five African countries, with 59 per cent for Black women in South Africa, 56 per cent in Namibia, 47 per cent in Zambia, 44 per cent in Uganda, and only 36 per cent in Nigeria.
She emphasised that while the statistics might seem grim, the current 50 per cent mortality rate was an improvement from the previous rate of 80 per cent a few decades ago.
Salako explained that the BRANT journey began in 2022 when Oncopadi and Roche engaged in numerous co-creation sessions to develop a novel program to digitally enhance breast cancer diagnosis and care.
She observed that the BRANT programme was birthed by leveraging Roche’s expertise as a global leader in oncology diagnostics and treatment while utilising Oncopadi’s digital oncology capabilities and community mobilisation strategies in Nigeria, adding that a strategic agreement was signed by both parties in 2024.
According to her, Oncopadi has mobilised many cancer patients over the years, especially women to access care and educational resources online.
“To this end, a strategic agreement was signed by Roche and Oncopadi in 2024 and we have worked tremendously hard to fulfil our shared vision, which is to support 5,000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.”
She explained that BRANT was birthed by leveraging Roche’s expertise as a global leader in oncology diagnostics and treatment while utilising Oncopadi’s digital oncology capabilities.
General Manager of Roche Nigeria, Ladi Hameed, said the BRANT programme was a transformative initiative to reshape breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.
Hameed, who was represented by the Medical Director, Roche Products Limited, Dr Bola Oyedeji, said 5-in-10 women diagnosed with breast cancer would not be here in five years’ time hence the need to reduce the time to diagnosis of breast cancer to improve survival.
He stated that in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, half of the women diagnosed with breast cancer do not survive beyond five years due to factors such as lack of awareness, insufficient funds, and limited access to testing and treatment adding that the average diagnostic timeline extends to six months, compared to less than 60 days elsewhere.
Hameed, however, said though the programme would run for the next 18 months, there was a need to collectively think about sustainability.
Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Usman Aliyu, highlighted that BRANT was a milestone in the nation’s continuous effort to enhance patient care, streamline support systems, and empower individuals battling the disease.
Represented by the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control, Waziri Usman, he emphasised that the BRANT programme was designed to make patient navigation, which is a complex landscape of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, much easier.
The Deputy Country Representative of the World Health Organisation to Nigeria, Alexander Chimbaru, commended the organisations for coming up with a homegrown solution to reducing the burden of breast cancer.
“This is a very valuable and informative initiative to make breast cancer screening, navigation, and testing more accessible for women. However, what is remaining now is action,” he added.
Oncopadi had recently partnered with the International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Association (IVLPAA) and the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government to mark World Cancer
Day 2025 under the theme ‘United by Unique.’
Salako, the Oncopadi boss, had stressed the importance of community-based awareness and screening, noting that in 2022, Nigeria recorded about 125,000 new cancer cases, with over 60% affecting women.
“Unfortunately, women are disproportionately impacted by cancer globally, and Nigeria is no different,” she explained. “Breast and cervical cancers account for the majority of cases among women, and many factors, including low socio-economic status, lack of awareness, and limited access to healthcare, contribute to late diagnoses.”
While acknowledging government efforts in expanding cancer care, she pointed out the need for private sector involvement and technology-driven solutions to bridge the gaps in cancer treatment.
“We need more private-sector investment in public health systems,” she urged. “Many cancer centres are located in urban areas, making it difficult for patients in rural areas to access care. We must also leverage technology to reach underserved communities,” Salako added.
