Oral Cancer Claims Lives Of 764 Nigerians Annually, Says Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed that mouth cancers, also known as oral cancers, claims about 764 lives in Nigeria every year.

Ehanire who spoke in Abuja on Sunday during an oral cancer training programme organised by the Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation (CFDF) said this is one of the leading causes of death in the country.

Represented by the head of dentistry division of the ministry, Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, he said Nigeria also records 1,146 new cases of oral cancers annually.

The Minister said this is due to late reporting in hospitals and inability of healthcare workers to detect the lesion early and refer appropriately among others.

Ehanire said the government would launch a new oral health policy in November.

Executive Director, CFDF, Seidu Bello, said artificial intelligence helps in early detection of oral cancers and oral potentially malignant disorders.

He said it could be used to predict with more than 90 per cent accuracy that someone could develop cancer in another 10 years.

He said the use of artificial intelligence for oral health was currently close to zero level in Nigeria.

President, Nigerian Dental Association, Tope Adeyemi, represented by the Secretary-General of the association, Ukachi Nnawuihe, urged full integration of oral health in the primary healthcare services in the country to ensure easy access to oral healthcare.