Group advocates nationwide rollout of patient navigation in cancer centres

Project PINK BLUE has called on the Federal Government, state authorities and hospital leadership to implement patient navigation services across all cancer centres in Nigeria, citing persistent gaps in access to diagnosis and treatment.

The organisation made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the close of its Women Empowering Women – Breast Cancer Navigation and Technology Programme (WEW-BCNaP), with support from AstraZeneca under the Powering Breast Cancer Progress initiative.

The programme aimed to reduce late detection of breast cancer and improving timely access to care by training survivors, retired nurses and other healthcare workers as patient navigators, while deploying digital tools to address systemic barriers.

The organization said beast cancer remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, citing the World Health Organization's (WHO) report that I did acted that the country recorded 32,278 new cases and 16,332 deaths in 2022, with a growing number of younger women affected.

According to the organization, many patients face challenges after diagnosis, including fear, stigma, limited understanding of treatment pathways, financial constraints and difficulty navigating the healthcare system, often leading to delayed or discontinued treatment.

Founder and Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, Runcie Chidebe, said patient navigation provides structured support to guide individuals through diagnosis and treatment.

“Patient navigation helps ensure that cancer patients are not left alone to figure out the healthcare system by themselves. It supports patients to understand their diagnosis, access referrals, keep appointments, remain on treatment and receive psychosocial and financial support throughout their journey,” he said.

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Chidebe noted that while patient navigation is included in the National Cancer Control Plan (2026–2030), implementation remains a challenge.

“The Federal and State governments and chief medical directors must move beyond policy and urgently implement patient navigation across all cancer centres in Nigeria. No cancer patient should die because they were lost in the health system,” he said.

Project Manager of WEW-BCNaP, Deborah Ejemole, said the just-concluded initiative trained more than 100 participants, including cancer survivors, patients, retired nurses and healthcare professionals, to serve as patient navigators.

She said the training equips participants to guide patients through diagnosis, referral and treatment processes, helping to reduce delays and improve continuity of care.

“We believe that when patients are properly followed up or navigated, many of the barriers they face will be mitigated,” she said.

Ejemole added that patient navigation activities would continue beyond the training, with the long-term goal of integrating the system into cancer care nationwide.

The programme also incorporates digital tools to improve patient tracking and referrals. Ejemole said the PINK BLUE App is designed to simplify access to care by connecting patients to appropriate services and support systems.

“For many newly diagnosed patients, the biggest challenge is uncertainty. This platform is designed to reduce that uncertainty, improve continuity of care and ensure that patients are not lost in the system,” she said.

Joachin-Ani Ann Nnenna of the State Primary Board of Nursing, National Hospital Abuja, among other participants, said the training strengthened her capacity to support patients beyond clinical care, adding that it provided practical tools to address barriers such as fear, poor understanding and loss to follow-up.

A breast cancer survivor and co-chair of the WEW-BCNaP Steering Committee, Olushola Akapo, said patient navigation extends beyond clinical intervention.

“Patient navigation is built on presence, empathy and human connection. It is about how we support individuals through the fear and uncertainty of cancer,” she said.

Ejemole said strengthening patient-centred support systems would improve early diagnosis, treatment adherence and continuity of care, with the potential to enhance survival outcomes.

She also highlighted Project PINK BLUE's outreach activities, including periodic screenings and awareness campaigns in underserved communities. 

"At a World Cancer Day event in February, we screened more than 3,000 women for breast and cervical cancer," she added.