The Chief Executive Officer of the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre, Dr. Nafisa Abdu, has urged Nigerians not to ignore persistent lumps, unexplained swelling or prolonged bone pain, warning that such symptoms could be signs of sarcoma, a rare but aggressive cancer.
She gave the advice in a statement on Thursday to mark Sarcoma Awareness Month, stressing that early diagnosis offers the best chance of successful treatment.
Abdu explained that sarcoma is a cancer that develops in the bones or soft connective tissues, including muscles, fat, tendons, cartilage and blood vessels, affecting both children and adults.
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She described it as one of the world’s “forgotten cancers” because of low public awareness and the frequent delays in diagnosis, as its symptoms are often mistaken for less serious health conditions.
She advised anyone with a persistent lump, unexplained swelling, prolonged bone pain or a lump larger than five centimetres to seek prompt medical attention.
She also urged healthcare professionals to maintain a high level of suspicion when assessing such symptoms to ensure early referral and accurate diagnosis.
The cancer specialist called on governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations and the media to increase public awareness and improve access to quality cancer care.
She reaffirmed the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre’s commitment to providing advanced diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, noting that timely detection can significantly improve patients’ chances of survival and quality of life.