Nigeria records 127,763 new cases of cancer every year: a number that keeps rising due to the lack of widespread information about cancer prevention and management.
Nigeria records 127,763 new cancer cases every year, with experts warning that the number continues to rise due to limited public awareness about prevention and early detection. Nutrition specialist Dr. Christabel Akinola emphasizes that cancer is not a distant threat, noting that the body naturally forms cancer cells annually, often without symptoms. The lack of widespread screening and education exacerbates the crisis, leaving many cases undiagnosed until advanced stages.
Health advocates urge increased public health campaigns and improved access to cancer care, stressing that early intervention can significantly improve survival rates. With lifestyle factors and environmental triggers contributing to the surge, experts call for policy reforms and community-based awareness programs to curb the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria.
Based on her recommendation, the superfoods you need to consume regularly include green tea, tomatoes, purple grapes, raw garlic, turmeric, fluted pumpkin (ugu), cabbage, dark chocolate, broccoli, and kale.
- Green tea: Going by laboratory studies, green tea has slowed or prevented the development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells.
- Tomatoes: As a rich source of cancer-fighting free radicals like vitamins A, C, and E, eat plenty of tomatoes often.
- Purple grapes: All grapes contain an antioxidant known as resveratrol which according to studies, has the potential to possibly stop cancer from starting in the breast, liver, stomach and lymphatic system. But wellness dietitian with over 20 years of experience, Lindsey Wohlford, says red and purple grapes have significantly more resveratrol than green grapes.
- Raw garlic: Based on several studies, garlic can increase the rate of cancer cell death and decrease the growth of blood vessels necessary for cancer cells to thrive.
- Turmeric: The curcumin in turmeric, according to some studies, has a variety of health benefits, including fighting cancer cells. These studies have also found it might work against lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
- Fluted pumpkin (ugu): Several research studies have shown that ugu has bio-active phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, chlorophyll, and alkaloids that help fight cancer growth.
- Cabbage: Red cabbage contains the antioxidant, anthocyanin that has been shown — based on lab studies — to slow cancer cell spread, kill already formed cancer cells, and stop the formation of new tumour growths.
- Dark chocolate: Chocolate is made from cacao beans. Cacao beans contain a type of plant nutrient called flavonoids. They are anti-oxidants, which means they can help prevent damage to cells and potentially protect against cancer.
- Broccoli: Broccoli has a high amount of sulforaphane, a cancer-fighting plant compound that has been linked to reducing the risks of prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and oral cancers.
- Kale: According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, kale is one of the cancer-fighting foods that you should be eating more often.