London: The Ngogbehei Cancer Centre (NCC), a non-governmental organization, has inaugurated its operations in the United Kingdom with a strategic focus on combating cancer, which has become a growing concern in Nigeria. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, the Founder of the NGO, Marcel Ngogbehei, emphasized the pressing public health challenge posed by cancer in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Nigeria records more than 125,000 new cancer cases annually, with over 70,000 deaths attributed to the disease. These alarming figures are largely driven by late diagnosis, poor awareness, and limited access to screening and treatment. Breast and cervical cancers remain the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria, yet only 19 percent of Nigerian women have ever undergone a clinical breast examination, with even fewer accessing routine Pap smears or receiving HPV vaccinations.
Ngogbehei explained that most Nigerians battling cancer are unaware of their condition until it is too late. He highlighted that the Nigerian health systems are not designed for prevention, which is where the Ngogbehei Cancer Centre aims to make a difference. Instead of establishing a conventional hospital, the centre is leading a national movement focused on prevention through various community-based initiatives.
The initiatives include mobile cancer clinics, which are repurposed ambulances equipped with diagnostic tools to provide on-the-spot screenings in rural and underserved communities. Public education campaigns, outreach programs, workshops, and school activities are designed to demystify cancer and promote awareness of early warning signs. Additionally, volunteer training and support groups focus on encouraging regular self-examinations, routine checkups, and post-treatment support. Digital outreach tools, such as mobile applications and online platforms, facilitate self-assessment, appointment bookings, and survivor storytelling.
Ngogbehei added that the centre would operate nationwide, with a central coordination office and strong collaboration with local healthcare providers and civil society organizations. He noted that registration in the United Kingdom enhanced the organization's credibility, opened access to international funding, and enabled strategic partnerships. However, he stressed that the core of its operations remains rooted in Nigeria, where cancer education is urgently needed in villages, schools, churches, and markets.
The centre's status in the UK also positions it for potential expansion to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa in the future. Evidence suggests that up to 50 percent of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, vaccinations, and early detection. However, in Nigeria, misconceptions and stigma continue to shape public perception of the disease. The Ngogbehei Cancer Centre seeks to change this narrative through a compassionate, evidence-based, and community-driven approach to care.
Formerly known as the Marcel Ngogbehei Center for Cancer Education and Care, the centre aims to address the cancer crisis through education, early detection, and improved access to care, making cancer prevention and care a right, not a privilege, for every Nigerian.