The Nigerian Cancer Society has called for intensified government and private sector intervention to address the rising burden of cancer among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria, joining the country in mourning the death of Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, who reportedly died at 40 after battling advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
In a statement issued by National Director of Publicity Bashir Mohammed Ranccas, the society described Ekubo’s passing as a painful reminder that cancer was no longer primarily a disease of older adults but was increasingly claiming young lives, underscoring the urgent need for more research focused on cancers affecting young Nigerians, wider awareness, earlier detection, and timely access to treatment.
The society called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organizations, development partners, philanthropists, and government institutions to partner with it in funding awareness creation, screening programs, research, treatment support, and policy advocacy. It also urged Nigerian youths to be more intentional about their health by embracing healthy lifestyles and avoiding risk factors including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, unprotected sexual behavior, sharing of sharp instruments, and substance abuse, while regularly screening for viruses linked to cancer including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Papilloma Virus, and HIV.
