Cancer has been identified as a major cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world and recent literature on cancer suggests that incidence of cancer cases has been rapidly increasing, especially, in developing countries [1-4]. Disappointingly, available cancer data are not quite robust and unreliable in most developing countries, underscoring the need for well-financed cancer registries and improve surveillance [2,4]. Nigeria, like many developing countries, appears to be experiencing increasing burden of cancer cases with high morbidity and mortality cases [2]. The impact of globalization- westernization and changing lifestyle, and increasing life expectancy in developing world appear to have contributed to the increasing prevalence of cancers. This has resulted in double epidemiological burden, which could be potentially overwhelming to the weak health system in most developing countries [5].

Awareness of cancer and its risk factors among the general population seem low in many developing countries [6-9]. The low level of awareness, high level of poverty, poor access to screening and diagnostic facilities may have contributed to late detection and presentation at health facilities [10]. Contrary to findings in developing countries, the developed countries’ experiences suggest that early detection often translate in the good prognosis for cancers [4,8]. This may explain the common slogan that says “early detection saves lives”.

In the light of the peculiarities of cancer prevention and control in developing countries, especially, in sub Saharan Africa, the paper sets out to emphasise the perspective that cancer prevention goes beyond detection. Based on peculiarities of resource-constrained environment, early detection may not save lives if appropriate interventions were not instituted.

Case Report

Patient X, a 38 year old woman was 8 month pregnant when we had first contact with her during a cancer screening outreach organized to commemorate the 2015 world cancer awareness month in one of the states in the north-west geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The pregnancy was her 4th- she has had 3 previous deliveries. She did not attend ANC in her previous pregnancies and deliveries were at home. In the index pregnancy, she noticed her right breast was unusually bigger when the pregnancy was about 4 month old and she presented to a secondary health facility in the state with her complain. She was examined and reassured. Not satisfied with the treatment she received for her complain, she presented to the tertiary health facility in the state. Unfortunately, the treatment she received was not significantly different.

Four months after first presenting to health facility with her complain, she presented to us during our outreach cancer screening program for breast and cervical cancer with same complain but more severe. Clinical breast examination was used to screen for breast cancer and Visual Inspection with Acetic acid was used to screen for cervical cancer. Though she was healthy looking, but clinical breast examination revealed enlarged right breast, about twice the size of the left breast with skin changes however no obvious ulcer and there was no fixation to anterior chest wall. We suspected breast cancer and referred her to the secondary health facility in the state for confirmation and further management.

With support from state government, she was able to pay her health bills. She had a biopsy in November [about a month after she was referred from cancer screening program]. At the time she was having the biopsy, the skin over the breast was already ulcerating and the mass was fixed to anterior chest wall precluding any chance for meaningful surgical intervention. On 7th December, she had induction of labour and was delivered of a live small for gestational age female baby weighing 1.7 kg. The baby died on 3rd day of life at the special care baby unit of the tertiary health institution in the state. She was referred to oncology unit of a teaching hospital in a neighbouring state. At the teaching hospital, patient was commenced on chemotherapy and later discharged home for a repeat course of chemotherapy and a month appointment given.

Upon her return, she had constant pain, stench from the ulcer and other attendant challenges with advanced breast cancer. Sadly, the patient lacks access to basic palliative care services to adequately manage the pain and other medical and psycho-social challenges. This clearly calls for a review of cancer management practices in this environment and the right of patient living with cancer.

Arguably, breast cancer screening programs may have reduced morbidity and mortality associated with the disease, particularly, in developed countries. This was probably the genesis of the popular cancer screening advocacy slogan, “early detection save lives”. The story is not the same for developing countries, where evidence has shown that the incidence and case fatality of breast cancer is on the rise [4].

Cancer control is a coordinated system involving all aspects of cancer care, starting with prevention, through early detection, treatment and finally, palliative care. In most developing countries, there is no system in place to coordinate various aspects of cancer control. Consequently, cancer can be detected early without meaningful impact on morbidity or mortality as exemplified by the experience of Mrs. X.

Primary breast cancer prevention involves lifestyle modification which the patient was not aware of and she has never had breast cancer screening. This may be attributable to her low socio-economic status which is a strong factor against uptake of screening services. However, pregnancy presented her with the opportunity for early detection; she presented to a secondary health facility for ante-natal care in the 4th month of her pregnancy and complained of the swelling in her breast, yet the opportunity was missed.

Four months after her initial presentation at secondary health facility, we had contact with her during our free breast cancer screening program. The fact that a patient with obvious lump in her breast which she was not only aware of but had also complained of it to her healthcare providers I and was presenting with same lump to a breast cancer screening program speaks volume of the state of health facility for treatment of cancer in our environment.

Cancer treatment is very expensive and patients have to pay for the treatment out of pocket in the environment [11]. It appears lack of funds deterred her from accessing 4 months after her initial presentation. However, the fact that she still could not access timely intervention even after the government had undertaken the responsibility for the bills of her treatment calls for worry. The challenges cancer patients have to surmount in order to access treatment in developing countries has been well documented [11]. Mrs. X by stroke of luck presented early with her breast lump, government undertook responsibility for the bills for her treatment yet she ended up with an inoperable fumigating breast cancer!

A cancer prevention and control service is a comprehensive package in which early detection is a major component. For early detection of cancer to save lives, it has to be followed by appropriate intervention. In recognition of this fact, we are advocating a change in the slogan from early detection save lives to early intervention save lives, based on our local experience, which is seen in most developing countries that are hugely challenged by resource-constraints.

SAO conceived the idea, conducted literature search, wrote the introduction and conclusion while IL drew the outline and wrote the case report and discussion. Both authors wrote the abstract. All authors critically revised and approved the final version of the manuscript.

The authors declare no competing interest and no financial assistance was received from any funding agency or organization. The opinions expressed in this work are those of the authors and not that of affiliated organizations.