\u201cI believe I will still beat it again.\u201d These are the words of a Nigerian woman, Didi, who feared a recurrence of her cancer \u2013 but saw herself as a survivor.<\/p>\n
Her attitude is becoming more common everywhere as more people are living after a cancer diagnosis. Though populations are growing and ageing, and cancer incidence is therefore\u00a0rising<\/a>, it\u2019s also true that the likelihood of\u00a0surviving<\/a>\u00a0is greater than before.<\/p>\n And identifying as a survivor, rather than a \u201cvictim,\u201d matters. Studies<\/a>\u00a0show that it\u2019s associated with better health outcomes.<\/p>\n Didi\u2019s optimism is inspiring when you consider the challenges women like her face: a weak health system, high out-of-pocket medical costs, cancer stigma, and a highly patriarchal society that increases women\u2019s vulnerability.<\/p>\n In 2020,\u00a0Nigeria reported<\/a>\u00a0an estimated 124,815 new cancer cases and 78,899 cancer deaths, mostly from breast, cervical and prostate cancers. The country is\u00a0projected<\/a>\u00a0to experience an increase in\u00a0cancer incidence by 2040<\/a>.<\/p>\n The growing population of people who have had cancer makes it important to understand their experiences. What is it like to be a cancer survivor in Nigeria? Does identifying as a survivor rather than as a victim make a difference? Can the survivors\u2019 quality of life be improved?<\/p>\n These were the questions my colleagues and I \u2013 gerontology and public health researchers \u2013 had in mind when we conducted the\u00a0study<\/a>\u00a0that Didi took part in.<\/p>\n Breast cancer survivors<\/strong><\/p>\n For our study of what it means to be a female cancer survivor in Nigeria, we took a qualitative descriptive research approach. We interviewed 30 women in Abuja who had had cancer (29 had been diagnosed with breast cancer and one with skin cancer). They were aged between 29 and 55; 16 were married; 19 had children; 29 had tertiary education.<\/p>\n The women in the study were recruited through a partnership with an organization that offers psycho-social support to cancer survivors. This meant they felt comfortable enough to share their experiences.<\/p>\n We analyzed what they told us to identify themes.<\/p>\n Three key findings emerged:<\/p>\n The Nigerian women reported that they had encountered negative attitudes from others. One said: \u201cI have been mocked \u2026 laughed at \u2026 embarrassed.\u201d Another said she had not been given her job back after her cancer treatment was complete. She also said her husband treated her unkindly after her mastectomy. Stigma can result in social isolation, loss of livelihood and fear of seeking help.<\/p>\n All the study participants identified as survivors, but for different reasons. They mentioned strength, hope, self-esteem, having a positive outlook on life, and maintaining a sense of control. For some, their religious faith gave them this identity. One said that seeing herself as a survivor enabled her to stick to her medical treatment. Care and support contributed to this identity for some: “Since when I joined (a support group), I see myself as a cancer survivor. I\u2019m going to make it no matter what, I know that I\u2019m going to make it.”<\/p>\n The women shared their thoughts about the future and looking beyond their cancer diagnosis. Many showed great resilience as their responses reflected hope for a better future, beyond cancer.<\/p>\n Overall, although some of the women in the study spoke of their negative experiences, they reported that identifying as cancer survivors gave them a positive outlook. This was in line with\u00a0other studies<\/a>\u00a0that found that identifying as a cancer survivor can be empowering.<\/p>\n These qualities are particularly significant in Nigeria, where some people diagnosed with cancer may see it as a death sentence or refuse chemotherapy and surgery because they think those treatments can kill.<\/p>\n Cancer is extremely disruptive: it involves treatment and changes to relationships, careers and lifestyles. It can have a huge impact on future goals. The way people choose to make sense of all this is the difference between being a \u201csurvivor\u201d and being a \u201cvictim\u201d.<\/p>\n Choosing to identify as a cancer survivor in Nigeria is choosing to have a voice or an active role. It may empower a person and make them more resilient.<\/p>\n Still, there is a need for support and for Nigeria to reduce the burden of cancer through its\u00a0national plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n