By Folasade Akpan
The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has called for the full implementation of a national cancer survivorship framework and stronger support systems to improve the lives of cancer survivors across the country.
NCS President, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 National Cancer Survivors’ Day, emphasising that survivorship must become a central pillar of Nigeria’s cancer control efforts.
The NCS president spoke as the society joined millions worldwide to commemorate National Cancer Survivors’ Day, observed annually on the first Sunday of June to celebrate individuals living with and beyond cancer.
He said the Uyo 2026 Declaration represented a collective call for the implementation of a National Cancer Survivorship Framework and expansion of health insurance coverage for cancer care.
It also called for increased investment in oncology infrastructure, stronger psychosocial support services and improved financial protection for survivors and their families.
According to him, the declaration urged governments and stakeholders to expand health insurance coverage for cancer treatment and survivorship services, invest in oncology infrastructure, strengthen psychosocial support programmes and establish financial protection mechanisms for survivors and their families.
It also called for workplace policies protecting survivors from discrimination, expansion of treatment and follow-up facilities nationwide, increased funding for survivorship research and sustained public awareness campaigns against cancer stigma and misinformation.
According to him, surviving cancer should not mark the end of support, but the beginning of a comprehensive system that enables survivors to live productive and fulfilling lives.
“Survivorship must be recognised as an integral component of cancer control and not merely an outcome of treatment,” he said.
Speaking about the commemoration of the day, the NCS president said that the day observed annually on the first Sunday of June is to celebrate individuals living with and beyond cancer.
Omonisi noted that although advances in diagnosis and treatment had improved survival outcomes globally, many Nigerian survivors continued to face challenges that remained largely unaddressed within the healthcare system.
He said cancer survivors frequently experienced severe financial hardship arising from high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, inadequate insurance coverage and loss of income during and after treatment.
He added that survivors often contend with long-term physical complications including chronic pain, fatigue, infertility, lymphedema, nutritional challenges and treatment-related side effects that affect their quality of life.
The NCS president said many also battle anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence and emotional exhaustion without access to adequate psychosocial support services.
He expressed concern that harmful misconceptions linking cancer to curses, witchcraft, punishment or hopelessness continued to fuel stigma, discrimination and social isolation in some communities.
“Survivors may experience rejection, diminished social support, and negative attitudes that affect their reintegration into society,” he said.
Omonisi further said employment and economic reintegration remained difficult for many survivors who lose jobs during treatment or encounter discrimination when attempting to return to work.
He noted that young survivors often face disruptions in education, while childhood cancer survivors may experience long-term developmental, psychosocial and educational challenges.
According to him, access to structured survivorship care remains limited across many parts of Nigeria due to inadequate rehabilitation services, shortages of specialist oncology personnel and uneven access to supportive care.
He said survivors in rural and underserved communities were particularly disadvantaged by long travel distances, transportation costs and limited availability of specialised cancer services.
The NCS president called on the Federal Government, state governments, healthcare institutions, development partners, private sector organisations and civil society groups to prioritise cancer survivorship within national health planning.
He said that the society had recently inaugurated the National Cancer Intervention Fund (NCIF) to mobilise five billion Naira to support cancer diagnosis and treatment for cancer survivors across Nigeria.
According to him, the fund is currently at the resource mobilisation stage with support from the World Health Organization.
Omonisi also said the society supported the recently inaugurated Social Determinants of Health Fund of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare aimed at addressing barriers limiting access to cancer care nationwide.
“As we commemorate National Cancer Survivors’ Day 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every cancer survivor in Nigeria has the opportunity not only to survive but to thrive,” he said.
He added that survivorship should be accompanied by dignity, quality healthcare, psychosocial well-being, economic security and social inclusion.
Omonisi said that the society remained committed to strengthening systems that supported survivors beyond treatment.
“With the theme, ‘Living Beyond Cancer: Survivorship, Support and System Strengthening,’ we reaffirm our commitment to advancing a future where every cancer survivor in Nigeria can access quality care, live with dignity and realise their full potential.
“To every cancer survivor across Nigeria: your courage inspires us, your journey matters, and your voice must continue to shape the future of cancer care in our nation,” he said.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
