Powerful new tech, smart choices can help beat cancer early, doctors tell kids and families
On Wednesday, May 7, kids and families learned something very important—how science and knowledge can help beat cancer early!
Dr. Emmanuel Akhaumere, who works at the National Hospital in Abuja, spoke to a group of reporters at a special training event called the OncoSeek Cancer Training for Journalists. The goal of the event was to teach people how doctors use powerful tools and smart technology to find cancer early and help people get better faster.
The training was called “Effective Reporting of OncoSeek as an AI-Predictive Early Cancer Diagnostic Tool.”
Dr. Akhaumere said that knowing the right way to take blood for tests is very important. He said, “We are not suggesting that patients should carry out professionals’ tasks. When patients are informed about what is right, they can help prevent mistakes. Knowledge is power.”
He explained how little mistakes—like mixing up people’s names or taking blood from the wrong spot—can make test results wrong and even be dangerous.
One of the most exciting parts of the event was a machine called the Cobas E411 analyser. This amazing tool helps doctors find signs of cancer in the blood faster than ever before!
Dr. Akhaumere said, “This is the level of sensitivity and importance this machine holds. What used to take a whole day to test five tumour markers can now be completed in just 18 minutes per test, with a total throughput of up to 180 tests per hour.”
He compared the machine to finding one person in all of China without knowing their address—that’s how good it is!
He also shared a proud moment: a patient sent their test results from the National Hospital to a cancer center in the U.S., and guess what? The U.S. doctor said the results matched perfectly!
“We should never underestimate what we have,” he said with pride.
The event wasn’t just about cool machines. It was also about how finding cancer early can save lives. Dr. Akhaumere explained that sometimes, when a cancer like cervical cancer is found early, it can be treated with just a small procedure. “If a patient comes in for a routine screening and we identify changes in their cervix, we can treat them right away, ensuring they are free of cancer for life,” he said.
This also works for other cancers, like breast cancer. Catching it early means people might not need big surgeries or hard treatments like chemotherapy.
On Thursday, May 8, Dr. Mary Clement, a doctor from Asokoro General Hospital, added something very important: “Before you tell a patient they have cancer, it takes a constellation of investigations. Early detection is powerful, not just for diagnosis but for cure.”
She said that special scans and small tests like biopsies help doctors know exactly what to do. “Some cervical and breast cancers can be completely treated if caught early, sometimes without chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” she said.
Dr. Akhaumere finished with a big reminder: even diseases like malaria can be dangerous if not treated quickly—so imagine how important it is to catch cancer early!
“Advocacy for early presentation is key; it can save lives,” he said.
