The Chief Executive Officer of the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre, Dr. Nafisa Abdu, has urged Nigerians to seek immediate medical attention if they notice persistent lumps, unexplained swelling or prolonged bone pain. She warned that such symptoms could indicate sarcoma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer.
Speaking in a statement issued on Thursday to mark Sarcoma Awareness Month, Abdu described sarcoma as one of the world’s “forgotten cancers” due to limited public awareness and frequent delays in diagnosis. She stressed that early diagnosis remains the best chance of successful treatment and improved survival.
“Sarcomas are a rare group of cancers in which malignant cells develop in the bones or soft connective tissues of the body,” she explained. “These cancers can arise in the muscles, fat, blood vessels, tendons, cartilage and other supporting tissues, affecting both children and adults.”
Abdu noted that sarcomas are often mistaken for less serious health conditions, which makes timely diagnosis difficult. She advised the public to seek medical evaluation if they develop a lump that persists, unexplained swelling, prolonged bone pain, or any lump larger than five centimetres.
The cancer specialist also urged healthcare professionals to maintain a high level of suspicion when assessing patients with such symptoms to ensure early referral and accurate diagnosis. She said effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncology nurses, physiotherapists, and other specialists.
Calling for increased public awareness, Abdu urged governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations and the media to intensify efforts to promote early detection and improve access to quality cancer care. “This year’s Sarcoma Awareness Month serves as a reminder that no cancer should be forgotten,” she said, reiterating the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre’s commitment to advanced diagnosis and patient-centred care.