Prostate Cancer in Nigerian Men, What You Need to Know- Ekohotblog

Prostate cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer for Nigerian men, with 80% diagnosed late.
Early detection through screening is critical, as it significantly improves treatment effectiveness and survival rates.
Expert advice emphasizes the importance of understanding family history, regular PSA tests, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Prostate cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges for men worldwide—with one in every eight men expected to receive a diagnosis during their lifetime.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in Nigeria, the situation is particularly grave. Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed that in 2018, prostate cancer made up 29.1% of all cancers in Nigerian men, with an age-standardized one-year prevalence rate of 16.1—only a fraction of that reported in the United States.

In Nigeria, the disease not only tops the charts as the most common cancer among men but also claims the most lives. With 32.8 new cases and 16.3 deaths per 100,000 men, approximately 80% of patients are diagnosed only when the cancer has reached an incurable stage—resulting in a mortality rate more than twice that of North America.

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West Africa now sits at the fifth-highest global risk for prostate cancer mortality, and research indicates that among Nigerian men under 55, it is the second most frequent cancer. Moreover, forecasts by IARC and its partners, published in The Lancet, suggest that annual global cases could nearly triple to almost three million by 2040.

Why Prostate Cancer Is So Deadly in Nigeria

A key contributor to Nigeria’s high mortality rate is the delayed diagnosis of the disease. Too often, prostate cancer is only detected at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited.

In many parts of Nigeria—especially rural areas—there is insufficient access to essential diagnostic services like the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examinations (DRE). The high costs associated with treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy further restrict timely care.

Despite these challenges, there is room for hope. By increasing public awareness, encouraging regular screening, and improving healthcare access, many of these deaths could be prevented.

Early detection, in particular, is crucial to managing a treatable and controllable disease if caught in time.

Interview with Dr. Olusina Ajidahun

In an effort to shed more light on the issue, Naija News sat down with Dr. Olusina Ajidahun—a practicing physician, internal medicine resident, and co-founder of PRIV HEALTH, a startup focusing on men’s sexual health. Dr. Ajidahun also serves as a health correspondent and contributes to the strategic development of health tech products.

“Good morning, Doctor; thank you for joining us. Kindly introduce yourself to our audience.”

Dr. Ajidahun explained, “I’m Dr. Olusina Ajidahun. I work in internal medicine and co-founded PRIV HEALTH, a startup dedicated to men’s sexual health. Alongside my clinical practice, I serve as a health correspondent for various media platforms, contribute to product strategies for health tech brands, and engage audiences through podcasts and live discussions on health and medicine.”

“In addition to my medical practice, I work as a health correspondent for various media outlets. I am also involved in product strategy for health tech brands.

“I create and share health-related content across different channels and maintain an active presence as an on-air personality. This includes engaging with audiences through podcasts and discussions on health, medicine, and related topics.”

Understanding The Prostate And Prostate Cancer
1. Can you explain in simple terms what the prostate gland is and its function in men’s bodies?

“The prostate is a gland, which is an organ in the body responsible for secreting various substances. It is located in the lower pelvic region of men.

“One way to think about the prostate’s function is to compare it to a ‘sugar mummy’ that coats and nourishes semen. It produces prostatic fluid, which is rich in nutrients and enzymes that support sperm health. Since sperm is one of the key components of semen, this fluid plays a crucial role in reproduction.

“The prostatic fluid contains glucose, fructose, and enzymes that help sustain sperm on their long journey. These secretions not only nourish sperm but also contribute to the diagnostic markers used in detecting prostate cancer.”

2. What is prostate cancer, and how does it develop?

“Prostate cancer consists of two words—let’s break them down. We’ve already discussed what the prostate is, but what about cancer? Cancer refers to the abnormal growth and division of cells within an organ. In the case of prostate cancer, it specifically involves the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland.

“The exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown. However, we do know that certain risk factors contribute to its development. Normally, body cells follow a cycle where they grow, function, and eventually die. But in cancer, some cells fail to die as they should, essentially becoming ‘immortal.’ These abnormal cells divide rapidly and can spread to other parts of the body.

“Another key factor in the development of prostate cancer is testosterone, the male sex hormone. The prostate contains receptors that interact with testosterone, and this interaction can trigger changes in the gland, potentially increasing the risk of prostate cancer.”

Prostate Cancer Risks And Symptoms
3. Are there any specific risk factors that increase a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer?

“Yes, several risk factors can increase a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer.

“One major factor is age—the risk significantly increases for men over 60 or 70 years old.

“Race also plays a role, as prostate cancer is more common among Black men compared to Caucasians.

“Another important factor is family history—if a close relative has had prostate cancer, the likelihood of developing the disease is higher.

“Additionally, smoking and exposure to certain chemicals have been linked to an increased risk.

“Finally, simply being male is a risk factor, as only men have prostate glands, making them susceptible to the disease.”

4. What are some of the early warning signs or symptoms of prostate cancer that men should be aware of?

“Okay, now, trust me. The early sign is no sign. So, in the early stages of prostate cancer, you might not even know a man has it. But when symptoms start to appear, that’s when they come to the hospital. However, there’s something men can actually do to detect it early, which I’m going to mention.

“To answer the question, some symptoms include:

– Difficulty urinating

– Blood in the urine (hematuria)

– Weak urine stream or dribbling

– Kidney-related complications

– Back pain due to cancer spreading to bones

– Liver issues like jaundice if cancer spreads

“Just think about it—prostate cancer can move to various places in the body.”

Early Detection And Prevention
5. Why is early detection of prostate cancer so crucial for successful treatment?

“Early detection is crucial because there are many things we can do when we detect it early. So when a person has prostate cancer, obviously, we do what we call staging, which helps us to know how much involvement the prostate has. Depending on what we find, there are various modalities of treatment, from resecting part of it to deciding whether to use chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

“If you pick it up early and it has not spread to various places, there’s so much that can be done. Early detection is important because we need to identify and monitor the condition. Some people are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, and if they undergo screening—which is very important—we can detect potential cases early and intervene at the right time.”

6. What are some common screening tests for prostate cancer, and how often should men undergo these tests?

“The common screening test for prostate cancer is the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. This is a blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate.
“Men approaching their 40s are advised to consider undergoing a PSA test as part of routine screening. However, before the test, a doctor will conduct a physical examination, including a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). This involves the doctor inserting a finger into the rectum to assess the prostate’s size and texture. While some men may find this uncomfortable, it is an essential step in detecting abnormalities.
“In addition to the PSA test and DRE, an ultrasound scan may also be performed to provide further assessment of the prostate. These combined screening methods help in the early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.”

How often should men undergo prostate screening? “Well, it depends. The key factor is family history.
“If you have a family history of prostate issues, you should start taking screenings seriously from your 30s. However, if there is no family history, you should begin regular prostate screenings from your 40s.”