Epidemiology of Cancers in Adolescents and Young Adults in Nigeria

Abstract

IntroductionAdolescents and young adults (AYAs; ages 15-39 years) with cancers have peculiar psychosocial and economic concerns, cancer biology, risk factors, delayed diagnosis, less research focus and survivorship concerns.Even though this group of people constitute about 40% of Nigeria's estimated population, there are few studies about cancers in AYAs in Nigeria.This study aims to describe the epidemiological distribution of cancers in adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. MethodsData collated from 14 cancer registries in Nigeria between 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed.The data extracted was analysed using SPSS version 25.Frequencies, percentages, tables, and charts were used to represent and present the results.Association between categorical variables was tested using the Chi-squared test.Anonymised publicly available data were used for this study; hence, ethical approval and informed consent were not required. ResultsA total of 7,143 cancer cases seen within the study period occurred among AYAs, accounting for 24.2% (≈1 in 4) of cancer cases in Nigeria (28.7% and 22.2% in northern and southern Nigeria, respectively).Females constituted 73.5% of AYAs with cancer, with M: F≈1:3 (M: F ≈1:3 and ≈1:2 in Southern and Northern Nigeria, respectively).About two-thirds (65.7%) of cancers in AYAs occurred among those within the age binaytara.org/journal| Ehiedu et al.International Journal of Cancer Care and Delivery 2026; 6(2): 1-13 Take Home Messages 1. AYA accounted for 1 in 4 of all cancer cases in Nigeria 2. AYAs' cancers in Nigeria were about six and five times more than AYA cancers in the USA and Europe 3.There is a need to improve AYAs' cancer awareness, screening and vaccination 4. Targeted policies and guidelines which would aid prompt diagnosis, treatment and survivorship should be encouraged