Dr Leonardo Iheme, a Lead Data Scientist at EPAM Systems, has advocated the adoption and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigerian hospitals for the treatment of Breast Cancer among women.
In 2020, WHO data indicates that there were 6 deaths in every 10 cancer cases in Nigeria with Breast Cancer accounting for the chunk share of all reported new cancer cases in the country at about 22.7%.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, Nigeria has the highest rates of Breast cancer-related mortality rates in Africa, resulting in about 14,274 deaths occurring from cancer. This figure also represents about 81% of all cancer deaths in the country.
Similarly, a Sub-Saharan Africa Multinational Cancer survey found that Nigerian Breast Cancer patients have a three-year survival rate, which is the lowest in the region.
Cancer treatment in Nigeria is genrally costly making it difficult for patients to access services available to survive the disease. Poverty, on the other hand, compounds the situation with most Nigerian Breast Cancer patients surviving below the poverty line. For instance, the cost of Chemotherapy at the National Hospital Abuja is pegged at N600,000.
Dr Iheme made these remarks in Bauchi during a public lecture organised by the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU) with the theme: Empowering the AI Revolution: A Guide For Modern Educators.
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Addressing the gathering, Dr. Iheme emphasized that the use of AI can be effective in diagnosing cancer with a high degree of accuracy, thereby complementing the efforts of the few available competent Oncologists managing various cancer treatment centers in the country.
He highlighted that the high number of patients seeking cancer diagnosis, which has been steadily rising, exerts pressure and stress on doctors, leading to minor errors in detecting tumors in patients. “This can be avoided with the use of AI,” he stated.
Dr. Iheme stressed that early detection of Breast Cancer will save the lives of many Nigerian women succumbing to the disease.
“Early detection of Breast Cancer was one of the troubles we had. Before AI, detection takes time but with the coming of AI, it is fast, accurate and reliable,” he said.
Dr Leonardo called on the Federal Government to be committed to digitising the sector of the Nigerian economy through AI in line with global best practices.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Muhammad Abdul’aziz called on staff and students to make the best use of the huge resources offered by AI to deepen research and innovation.
