A non-governmental organisation, Project Pink Blue Health & Psychological Trust Centre, has called on the Federal Government, state governments, and hospitals to implement patient navigation services across cancer centres in the country. The group stated that proper implementation of patient navigation services would help reduce late detection of breast cancer and improve timely access to diagnosis and treatment.
Call for Action at Training Programme
The call was made during the Women Empowering Women Breast Cancer Navigation & Technology Programme (WEW-BCNaP) Patient Navigation Training held in Abuja. The training, supported by AstraZeneca through the Powering Breast Cancer Progress initiative, aims to reduce late-stage breast cancer detection by empowering breast cancer patients, survivors, retired nurses, and healthcare professionals as patient navigators, while also using mobile technology to reduce barriers to care.
Breast Cancer Burden in Nigeria
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, said breast cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria. He noted that Nigeria recorded 32,278 new breast cancer cases and 16,332 deaths in 2022, adding that the burden is worsened by increasing cases among younger women.
“Beyond the numbers, many women diagnosed with breast cancer in Nigeria are often left confused about what to do next. From the point of diagnosis, patients frequently face multiple barriers including fear, stigma, poor understanding of medical information, financial constraints, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. For many women, these barriers lead to delayed treatment, missed appointments, loss to follow-up, and in some cases, complete abandonment of care,” he said.
Role of Patient Navigation
Chidebe explained that patient navigation ensures that cancer patients are not left alone to navigate the healthcare system. It provides structured support to help patients understand their diagnosis, access appropriate referrals, keep appointments, remain on treatment, and receive psychosocial and financial support throughout their care journey.
He noted that patient navigation is already included in Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030), adding that the Federal and state governments, as well as chief medical directors, should move beyond policy and urgently implement it across all cancer centres in the country. “No cancer patient should die because they were lost in the health system,” he said.
Training and Technology Integration
He added that through the WEW-BCNaP initiative, breast cancer survivors, patients, retired nurses, social workers, peer navigators, and other healthcare professionals have been trained to serve as patient navigators. The programme also integrates mobile technology and app-based systems to improve patient follow-up, tracking, communication, and referrals.
Project Manager of WEW-BCNaP, Deborah Ejemole, said technology will make patient navigation more efficient and accessible. “With technological advancements, we believe patient navigation becomes easier, smarter, and more accessible. This app is designed to reduce uncertainty, improve continuity of care, and ensure that no patient feels lost in their cancer journey,” she said.
Human Connection in Navigation
A breast cancer survivor, cancer life coach, and Co-chair of the WEW-BCNaP Steering Committee, Olushola Akapo, emphasised that patient navigation is not just a healthcare system intervention, but a lifeline built on empathy, presence, and human connection.
