Breast cancer accounts for about 40% of all cancer diagnoses in Nigeria as of 2022, with 31%  of diagnosed cases found in women under 40 years old.

Why this matters

Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer among Nigerian women. Three systemic failures drive this: 

  • Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is least effective.
  • Treatment costs more than most families can afford.
  • Preventative screening remains inaccessible to most women, especially in rural areas.

Numbers to Watch

  • 80% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages and 50% of these women do not survive beyond five years.
  • The average cost for the treatment of a new breast cancer diagnosis is $5192.77, which is equivalent to 110 months of minimum wage income ($47/month).With 75% of healthcare costs out-of-pocket, most women can’t afford treatment even when diagnosed.
  • Even upper-income families average just $2,866 in capacity-to-pay. 
  • Nigeria’s Cancer Health Fund is grossly underfunded, with a proposed ₦150M ($100k) in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, that is roughly $3 per diagnosed cancer patient. 
  • Fragmented cancer registries and inconsistent reporting make it impossible to track trends, identify hotspots, or allocate resources effectively.
  • Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is least effective.
  • Treatment costs more than most families can afford.
  • Preventative screening remains inaccessible to most women, especially in rural areas.

Numbers to Watch

  • 80% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages and 50% of these women do not survive beyond five years.
  • The average cost for the treatment of a new breast cancer diagnosis is $5192.77, which is equivalent to 110 months of minimum wage income ($47/month).With 75% of healthcare costs out-of-pocket, most women can’t afford treatment even when diagnosed.
  • Even upper-income families average just $2,866 in capacity-to-pay. 
  • Nigeria’s Cancer Health Fund is grossly underfunded, with a proposed ₦150M ($100k) in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, that is roughly $3 per diagnosed cancer patient. 
  • Fragmented cancer registries and inconsistent reporting make it impossible to track trends, identify hotspots, or allocate resources effectively.