Good news for cancer patients

The recent report that former United States (US) President Jimmy Carter’s brain tumour has reduced considerably following the administration of new immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, on him, is cheering news to millions of cancer patients the world over. With the medical breakthrough, there is hope that a cure for cancer may soon be found.
An elated Carter reportedly credits the new cancer drug, Keytruda, for shrinking his brain tumour completely. Carter, who disclosed the good news to members of his Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, said that his recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots or any new ones. The 91-year-old former President was first diagnosed over the summer with melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain.
Although it is not clear if Carter’s cancer is gone completely, medical experts said that since the metastatic melanoma is no longer detectable and no new tumours have appeared, there is hope that other cancer patients will likely benefit from the new immunotherapy that was administered on Carter. The 39th US president that served between 1977 and 1981 has a family history of cancer. His three siblings and father died of pancreatic cancer. We wish him quick recovery.
Available statistics show that there are about 200,000 cases of metastatic melanoma in the US every year and it is regarded as the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is estimated that 10,000 deaths occur annually from the condition.
Despite the good news, the drug may be out of the reach of many people, especially the poor, in view of its prohibitive cost. Merck, the manufacturers of the new wonder drug, said that Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the latest among breakthrough cancer therapies, will cost $12,000 (N3.1million) per patient per month or $150,000 (N37.35 million) per year.
It will be recalled that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had in 2014 approved pembrolizumab under the FDA Fast Track Development Programme.
In October this year, the food and drug agency approved pembrolizumab for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in some categories of patients.
While we applaud all those behind this breakthrough in cancer cure, we urge that more research should be intensified until a cure for cancer is found. There is the need to ensure that the price of the new drug that has proved to be efficacious in shrinking Carter’s brain tumours is made affordable.
We make this case because at its current high price, not many cancer patients, especially those living in poor countries of the world, can afford it.
Let Nigerian researchers join others in the world to find a cure for cancer. There is no doubt that many Nigerians are afflicted with various cancers. In fact, some prominent Nigerians have also died from different types of cancers in recent times. The government should train more oncologists in view of the increasing cases of cancer in the country.
The Federal and State governments should step up efforts to combat the increasing cases of cancer by establishing more screening centres in all parts of the country. There is the need to ensure that every local government in the country has one or more cancer screening centres.
Government should embark on massive enlightenment on the disease. Since early detection of the disease is vital in its management, Nigerians should go for annual cancer screening. It should increase cancer management tools as well in tertiary and secondary health facilities in the country.