The Socioeconomic Impact Of Cancer

In 2018, we conducted an extensive study into the socioeconomic impact of cancer. Responses were gathered from over 2000 people, including cancer survivors, their caregivers, family, and friends. 

 

Our survey showed that women and low-income earners were the most affected by cancer. The cancers reported include blood, bone, brain, breast, cervical, colon, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, neck, ovarian, pancreatic, prostrate, stomach, throat, skin, leg, uterus, mouth, testicular, rectal, muscle, soft tissues, gall bladder, hand, adrenal gland, armpit, eye, face, womb and back cancers. 

 

Irrespective of one’s socioeconomic status, the emotional and financial burden of cancer management is excruciating. The cost of cancer treatment in Nigeria ranges from N850,000 to N2,875,000; and between $10,000 (about N3,600,000 using N360 to $1) and $60,000 (N21,000,000). In Africa, South Africa, Egypt, the Ivory Coast and Ghana benefits from this capital flight from Nigeria. Most respondents reported sourcing treatment funds from personal savings and contribution from friends and family. Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover cancer, neither do plans from several health management organisations. 

 

Generally, the cost of treating cancer is dependent on the type of drugs prescribed and the number of treatment cycles. Drugs are benchmarked at about N200,000 per dose of drugs. A patient can pay between N150,000 to N1,000,000 for a treatment cycle, and may need as many as fifteen cycles. 

 

These and more insights are contained within our report.