The Society for Cellular Pathology Scientists of Nigeria (SCPSN) has called for the adoption of ‘Genomic Testing’ for improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer disease in Nigeria.
The National President of SCPSN, Dr Jonathan Madukwe, made the call at the eighth International Scientific Conference/Annual General Meeting of the association on Tuesday in Lagos.
The conference has the theme: “Application of Genomic Testing for Improved Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Cancer.”
Madukwe described genomic testing as a more advanced method in the management of cancer disease that involves genetic, molecular and heterogeneous information/causative factors of cancer.
He, however, identified lifestyle changes, environmental and dietary factors as major contributing elements of cancer disease.
According to him, people should be mindful of the lifestyle, environmental and dietary risk factors of cancer; identify them and try as much as possible to avoid them.
A Professor of Anaerobic Bacteriology and Human Microbiome at the University of Lagos, Francisca Nwokorie, said the genomic technique yields more accurate, reliable, and effective results for the palliative care of cancer disease.
Nwokorie called for more collaboration and awareness programmes to educate the populace about the technique and enhance its access, adoption and application.
She emphasised the need for the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for the provision of genomic technique equipment, considering its huge cost implications.
