Hundreds of Nigerian Cancer Patients Visit India every month for Cancer Treatments. India has emerged as a global hub for Nigerian Cancer Patients seeking cost-effective, comprehensive Cancer Treatments Abroad.  The fame and reputation of Indian Cancer Treating Hospitals are well established, not only among Indians but also attract Cancer Patients from all across the world. Every Year, thousands of Nigerian Cancer Patients Visit India for Comprehensive Cancer Treatments in India.  Cancer patients from many countries visit India for Complete and Comprehensive cancer treatments. The robust, well-managed, and globally recognized healthcare systems in India offer comprehensive cancer treatment for Nigerian Cancer patients. 

Cancer Treatment in India for Nigerian Cancer Patients - Table of Contents

Cancer Prevalence among the Nigerian Population

Cancer does not discriminate on the grounds of socioeconomic status; rather, it can occur in anyone, whether from a developed country, a developing country, or an underdeveloped country. Cancer can affect people from all walks of life, including men, women, and children. Cancer Cases are rising in Nigeria. As per the reports of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2024, around 37'400 new cancer cases were diagnosed among Nigerian Men. In comparison, the new cancer cases diagnosed in Nigerian Women were approximately 64'700. There were approximately 30'900 cancer-related deaths among Nigerian men and 40'600 cancer-related deaths among women. The Numbers could have been much higher because of the non-reporting of many Nigerian Cancer Patients.

The Common Cancers among Nigerian Men

The most common Cancers among Nigerian Men are:

Prostate Cancer in Nigerian Men

Prostate cancer is the single largest cancer among men in Nigeria, accounting for approximately 11% of all male Nigerian cancer Patients. The Prostate Cancer rate among Nigerian Men is 41.2 per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the global average of 29.4 per 100,000. Most Prostate Cancer cases in Nigeria are diagnosed at a late, advanced stage, making them incurable and leading to a high mortality rate. This is often due to low awareness, limited screening, and potential underestimation of the true burden of the disease. In 2022, Nigeria accounted for about 17.7% of the new prostate cancer cases and 20.8% of fatalities in Africa. 

Colorectal Cancer in Nigerian Men

Once the tenth most common cancer in Nigerian Men, Colorectal Cancer has emerged as the second most common Cancer among Nigerian Men in recent years. The incidence of Colorectal cancer among Nigerian men is higher in Urban areas as compared to rural areas. Young Nigerian Men are more prone to Rectal Cancer.

Liver Cancer among Nigerian Men

Liver Cancer or Hepatocellular Carcinoma is also diagnosed in Nigerian Men. The Main identified reason for Liver Cancer among Nigerian Men is infection with Hepatitis B. Hepatitis C also contributes to Liver Cancer among Nigerian Men, although in a much smaller number. Liver Cancers are diagnosed in Younger Nigerian Men. The incidence of Liver cancer in Nigerian Men is much higher than in Nigerian Women.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Nigerian Men

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is also a common Cancer among Nigerian Men. Nigerian Men are more prone to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma as compared to women. The most common subtype in adults is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), while Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is most prevalent in children and adolescents. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HIV have been associated with certain subtypes of lymphoma in Nigeria.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Nigerian Men

Non-melanoma skin Cancer is also significantly high among Nigerian Cancer Patients. The most common type of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer among Nigerian Men is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. An old Trauma, chronic ulcers, old scars, and inflammation are major risk factors for Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Nigerian Men. 

Bladder Cancer in Nigerian Men

Bladder Cancer accounts for a significant number among Nigerian Men suffering from Cancer. In fact, the enormity of the prevalence of Bladder Cancer among Nigerian men can be gauged from the fact that it is observed as the second most common cancer in Nigerian men after prostate cancer. High rates of urinary schistosomiasis, caused by the Schistosoma haematobium parasite, as well as other chronic irritants like bladder stones, contribute significantly to Bladder Cancer in Nigerian Men.

Stomach Cancer in Nigerian Men

Stomach Cancer is another common Cancer affecting Nigerian Men. The identified factors for Stomach cancer in Nigerian Men are Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, high-salt and preserved food consumption, and a family history of cancer. Adenocarcinoma is the major subtype of Stomach Cancer affecting Nigerian Men.

Common Cancers Affecting Nigerian Women

The most Common Cancers affecting Nigerian Women are:

Breast Cancer in Nigerian Women

Breast Cancer is the number one cancer among Nigerian Women, accounting for over 22% of all new cancer cases. In 2020, 28,380 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed among Nigerian Women. Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among Nigerian Women. There is a high prevalence of aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, the triple-negative Breast Cancer in Nigerian Women. 

Cervical Cancer Among Nigerian Women

Cervical Cancer is the second most common Cancer Among Nigerian women. Around 12,000 new  Cervical Cancer cases are diagnosed annually among Nigerian Women, and around 8,000 women die in Nigeria from Cervical Cancer. Infection with Human Papillomavirus is the major factor responsible for Cervical Cancer in Nigerian Women.

Ovarian Cancer in Nigerian Women

Ovarian Cancer is another common cancer among Nigerian Women. The identified risk factors for Ovarian Cancer among Nigerian Women are a family history of cancer, early menarche, and nulliparity. 

Colorectal Cancer in Nigerian Women

Colorectal cases in Nigerian women are rising, and it is ranked the third most common cancer affecting Nigerian Women after Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer. Most of the Colorectal cancers are affecting younger Nigerian Women.

Soft Tissue Cancer in Nigerian Women

Soft tissue cancers also affect Nigerian Women, although the occurrence is not very common. Soft Tissue Cancers affect younger Nigerian Women. Fibrosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma are the common types of Soft Tissue Cancers in Nigerian Women.

Thyroid Cancer in Nigerian Women

Thyroid Cancer affects middle-aged Nigerian Women. Papillary Thyroid Cancer is more common, but Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Cancer, and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer also affect Nigerian Women.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Nigerian Women

Nigerian Women are also affected by Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the main type of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Nigerian women. The Known risk factors of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Nigerian Women include albinism and trauma, and the head and neck region is the most frequent site for NMSC.

Common Cancers in Nigerian Children

The Most Common Cancers reported in Nigerian Children are Lymphomas and Leukemias.  Nigerian Children up to the age of four years are affected more with Neuroblastoma and Nephroblastoma. Older Nigerian Children are affected with Lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Soft Tissue Cancers, Bone Cancers (Osteosarcoma), and renal tumors (Wilm's Tumor and Nephroblastoma). 

The Reason for Nigerian Cancer Patients Seeking Cancer Treatments Abroad

The Healthcare system in Nigeria needs much improvement as far as cancer treatments are concerned. Due to underfunded health sectors and a scarcity of proper cancer care facilities, the Lack of adequate diagnostic facilities and qualified Cancer treatment specialists, Nigerian cancer patients prefer cancer treatments outside Nigeria. Nigerian Cancer Patients often have to travel long distances to reach the nearest cancer center, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. The diagnostic facilities for cancer detection in Nigeria are restricted to the capital city, Abuja, and to a limited major cities. 

The three major cancer treatment specialties, Cancer Surgery (Onco-Surgeons), Radiation Therapy (radiation oncologists), and chemotherapy (medical oncologists), are also inadequate due to the scarcity of equipment, medicines, and qualified specialists. This has led to Nigerian Cancer patients seeking cancer treatment abroad if they can afford it.

Why Nigerian Cancer Patients Prefer Cancer Treatment in India