STORIES BY BLESSING OTOBONG-GABRIEL
Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, Lagos State Branch, Mr Abioye Akanji has expressed concern over the alarming increase of prostate disorder among Nigerian men, stressing the need to take precautionary measures to protect their prostate.
Akanji, who spoke during the 59th Annual Scientific Conference of AMLSN recently, with the theme: “Prostate Disorder: Integrating Multidisciplinary Strategies for Precision Diagnosis”, also lamented the brain drain in the health sector.
According to him, medical laboratory scientists are not exceptional, especially in Lagos State, as a minimum of two laboratory scientists out of five leave the country at one point or the other.
According to him, the japa syndrome has depleted the manpower to a very alarming degree. “Even in the private sector, people are still leaving. You employ them this month and the following month they are gone. It is affecting the private and public sectors.”
Akanji said the prevalence of prostate pathology in recent times across hospitals calls for deliberate and holistic approach to effective medical diagnosis for diseases, adding that the World Health Organisation, WHO, had described prostate cancer as the leading cancer diagnosis in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men, with about 299,010 expected cases. “Among Nigerian men, it accounts for the most common and deadly cancer with about 16.3 to 32.8 deaths per 100,000 men, hence the need to escalate discussions on the topic.”
Delivering a keynote address entitled: “Holistic Approach to Prostate Disorders: Integrating Multidisciplinary Strategies for Precision Diagnosis”, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Lagos and Consultant Urological Surgeon, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Dr Rufus Ojewola stressed the need for a scientific approach and accurate diagnosis in medical practice.
Ojewola noted that that in a study, they found that 48.6 percent of men who have symptoms of prostatic disease have never visited any hospital or health facility.
He also disclosed that the study found that the majority of men beyond the age of 48 have symptoms of prostate cancer and in terms of treatment, only 29.5 percent have visited recognised hospitals to seek help. While the majority either use traditional means or a combination of other and traditional means to get help.
According to the American Cancer Society, when detected early and managed properly, the survival rate for prostate cancer shoots up to over 99 percent.
There is also a very good chance of survival. But the key is if detected early, and that is where laboratory scientists are to support early detection and diagnosis
