PROSTATE CANCER IN NIGERIA

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease with regard to molecular alterations and clinical course (Benedettini & Loda 2008).The disparities in the black man calls for concerted research efforts. This term paper explores the trend and occurrence of prostate cancer and prostate cancer research activities in the most populous black nation on earth; it seeks to locate the place of the Nigeria and Nigerian research environment in the global progress on prostate cancer disparities. 

Literature was reviewed mainly through Pubmed search with the terms “prostate cancer” and “Nigeria”, as well as from Google scholar, internet, hard copies of journal pages and conference paper on prostate cancer among various regions in Nigeria.

One of the earliest publication on prostate cancer in Nigeria was in 1973, reporting low incidence, followed by arelax of nearly one decade. The incidence rate of prostate cancer was reported by Udeh In 1980, as almost similar for black men in Ibadan and Washington and from then on, research work from surgeons, pathologists, urologists from the south to the north, east to west, continued to report increasing prevalence of prostate cancer in Nigeria, other areas of research include knowledge attitude and practice,  studies (poor education of caregivers and population), histopathology (mostly adenocarcinoma), diagnosis (digital rectal examination [DRE], prostate specific antigen [PSA], ultrasound), clinical features (late presentation and high mortality), and prevention (lifestyle, education and screening). Currently, the area of genetics in relation to prostate cancer are been looked into.

In conclusion, International collaboration in areas like research, finance, equipments and apparatus for treatment, continuous education among others  are needed to battle the occurrence, incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer in Nigeria.