By JUSTINA AUTA

Cancer survivors, caregivers and health experts have called for stronger psychological support services and improved access to quality and subsidised cancer treatment.

They made the call on Saturday in Abuja during the 2026 Cancer Survivors Gathering, themed, “Hope Beyond the Battle”.

The event was organised by the Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF); Nest of Hope Advocacy and Support Community and Margo Counseling Services.

The survivors say the support services will enhance survival outcomes and quality of life for patients across Nigeria.

Ms Kemi Adekanye, Founder of OkapiCCF, noted that many survivors continue to battle anxiety, emotional trauma and social challenges long after completing treatment.

According to her, the annual gathering provides a safe space for survivors and their families to connect, share experiences and receive psychosocial support outside hospital settings.

“People often forget that the journey continues even after cancer treatment.

“Survivors still face anxiety, psychological challenges and the long-term impact of the disease on themselves and their families.

“We organise this gathering every year because survivors need continued psychosocial support and an opportunity to experience life beyond chemotherapy, medication and hospital walls,” she said.

Adekanye also identified poor access to treatment as a major challenge, especially for families travelling long distances to access specialist cancer care.

She said transportation, accommodation and treatment costs placed enormous financial burdens on affected families, adding that the foundation had continued to provide treatment support and educational scholarships for childhood cancer survivors.

Also, Mr Dozie Akwarandu, President and Lead Advocate of Nest of Hope Advocacy and Support Community, stressed the need to strengthen awareness, policy advocacy and research to improve cancer outcomes in Nigeria.

Akwarandu said the collaboration among cancer-focused organisations was aimed at reducing stigma, celebrating survivors’ resilience and ensuring that Nigerians living with cancer received the support required to survive and thrive.

Mrs Margaret Olokpo, Founder, Margo Counseling Services, underscored the importance of mental health support, saying many survivors struggled with grief, fear and life-changing realities even after treatment.

Olokpo, a psychologist and psychotherapist, said community support groups offered survivors opportunities to learn from one another’s experiences and draw strength for their recovery journey.

She added that professional counselling created safe spaces where patients and caregivers could express their fears without judgement, describing emotional support as an important component of healing.

On his part, Dr John Balogun, Paediatric Oncologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, said most childhood cancers were curable if detected and treated early.

Balogun, however, lamented that many Nigerian children presented at advanced stages due to delayed diagnosis, poverty, cultural beliefs and reliance on traditional or spiritual interventions.

“Many childhood cancers can achieve cure rates of up to 90 per cent in countries with early diagnosis and access to quality treatment.

“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many children arrive at hospitals when the disease has already spread, making treatment far more difficult,” he said.

He identified the high cost of diagnosis and treatment as a major barrier, noting that childhood cancers were yet to be covered under the National Health Insurance programmes, forcing families into catastrophic out-of-pocket spending.

Balogun also called on government to intensify public awareness campaigns, expand health insurance coverage for childhood cancers and invest in training more paediatric oncologists and specialised healthcare workers.

According to him, Nigeria has only a handful of trained paediatric oncologists to serve its over 200 million population, leaving many children without access to specialist care.

A male breast cancer survivor, Mr Jacob Omonade, said survivors also battled emotional distress, financial hardship and widespread stigma.

He lamented the low awareness of male breast cancer, urging government and stakeholders to intensify public education to encourage early detection among men.

Similarly, Mrs Titilayo Adewumi, whose 15-year-old son has remained cancer-free for more than 10 years, urged parents to promptly seek medical attention whenever they noticed unusual signs in their children.

According to her, early presentation at hospitals significantly improves recovery and survival chances.

The event featured survivor testimonials, a childhood cancer awareness video, games, raffle draws, painting sessions and stakeholder interactions aimed at promoting hope, awareness and improved cancer care in Nigeria. (NAN)

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