BusinessDay 04 Feb 2018

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C002D5556 44 BD SUNDAY Sunday 04 February 2018 Health&Science ‘Vaccination before being sexually active can lower risk of cervical cancer’ Lakeshore Cancer Centre is Nigeria’s first operational facility solely dedicated to cancer prevention and treatment. OGE ILEGBUNE a general practitioner, head of strategy, development and outreach at Lakeshore Cancer Centre and BINDIYA SADARANGANI, Center director recently spoke to BusinessDay’s Anthonia Obokoh, on cancer management and risk factors to be wary of to mark World Cancer Day, when the Centre is offering free screening and testing. What is the impact of Lakeshore Cancer Centre’s activities on prevention and management of the disease? Oge: Lakeshore Cancer Center was started over three years ago, by our CEO Chukwumere Nwogu, a Nigerian, trained abroad. He is a Professor of Thoracic Surgical Oncology and Cancer Epidemiologist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York. Based on the reality that cancer care was not where it should be in Nigeria, and too many people were dying of the disease, due to lack of awareness, he decided to set up a small facility that caters to this need and it has grown over the years. Lakeshore Cancer Center is the first operational facility in Nigeria solely dedicated to cancer prevention and treatment. The Centre is not a multi-specialty hospital; we concentrate on cancer and everything to do with cancer which includes: screening, diagnosis, treatment with chemotherapy, surgery, health education and awareness, counseling, palliation. We also run a general practice service which is tailored to our patients and anyone else who wants to ask questions. This is what we are doing at the moment. We are most likely going to expand to accommodate radiotherapy, which is also one of the main stay of treatment for some cancers and some stages. Our team consists of certified cancer specialists and a cross section of highly dedicated and passionate professionals. We are closely affiliated with the oldest cancer center in the world – Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) located in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1898, RPCI is world renowned, and is committed to the global eradication of cancer. Would you say cancer has reached an epidemic proportion in Nigeria? Bindiya: Yes, very much so. A 2002 statistics revealed that cancer afflicts more people than HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined in the world. So when you look at it that way, it is becoming an epidemic. Right now, in Nigeria we focus more on communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria but actually non communicable diseases like cancer is afflicting more people especially youths. L – R Bindiya Sadarangani, Centre director, Oge Ilegbune a general practitioner, head of strategy, development and outreach at Lakeshore Cancer Centre. There is a general rise in cancer cases, and more women are afflicted with cervical cancer, next to breast cancer. Cervical cancer is largely undetectable because of the location of the cervix which is internal, at the mouth of the womb, hence we are encouraging women to undergo screen because it is one of the cancers that can be screened by doing a Pap smear test. It is also easily treated once it is found. The test is done every three years. Cervical cancer is linked to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is one the main risk factor for developing cervical cancer, so at the same time there is a preventable arm to that which involves getting people between the ages of 9 to We urge the government to bring in more Non- governmental Organisations and foundations just like what they did to HIV drugs, because we do not have a health insurance that is working so government can use the same template used for HIV for cancer 26 to get the vaccine just like the immunization they give to babies, which means giving the younger people before they become sexually active because the main mode of transmission is through sex. So we want to encourage the parent to make sure their children gets vaccinated before they become sexually active and for women who are not sexually active to go get it as well How can cancer prevalence be controlled and awareness deepened in Nigeria? Oge: At the moment so many people in Nigeria lack a lot of knowledge about cancer and have a lot of misconception and myths about the disease. There is a whole lot of fear factor in our country because most people do not allow for them to be screened or tested due to their religious beliefs. Controlling cancer prevalence in Nigeria, like every other pathology or illness either communicable or non-communicable, requires educating people. Knowledge is power. Information is very important to change the behavior of a people. Bindiya: Nigeria does not have an accurate data on cancer because people get tested in different centres and those data are not properly collated making it difficult to have accurate data on the disease. In terms of screening today, compared to when we opened three years ago, more people are aware of cancer but we still have a long way to go because of the poverty level in the country most people are not able to afford screening, hence there is need for government and corporate organisations to provide support. However, to deepen cancer awareness in the county, we need to get more people to talk about it, advocate that more people needs to be screened, most cancer can be cured and some cancers are preventable that is probably the first step. We have other steps when it comes to cancer management, which includes having more oncologists, more cancer units in the country and more equipment, but I think education and awareness for the general public is very important and the government needs to develop a national screening programme because advocacy cannot do it alone, we still need government to intervene. What are the lifestyle modification people need to adopt to reduce the prevalence of cancer in Nigeria? Oge: What I always tell people is that the lifestyle modification for cancer prevention is not different from lifestyle modifications that should be adopted for hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Most of the risk factors cut cross across the pathology and it still boils down to a healthy lifestyle: regular exercises, balanced diet, avoiding smoking, reduction of alcohol intake, reduce stress, get a good sleep, as they are directly or indirectly linked to cancer. It is important to be cautious of the environment in terms of pollution, including exhaust fumes from vehicles and other machines. If you notice that several people have died in your family due to the same form of cancer or a related cancer, you can do a genetic testing to know if you got the gene. What is your plan this year in improving cancer awareness? Oge: Cancer advocacy involves many players and stakeholders uniting in various ways to do as much as possible to reduce the dismal cancer statistics especially in Nigeria. World Cancer Day is always on the 4th of February and serves as a clarion call for everyone to ask themselves how they can help and what they can do. Lakeshore Cancer Center can help with this question. We will be hosting in partnership with other healthcare providers a Health Fair to commemorate World Cancer Day on the 3rd of March 2018 from 8am to 5pm. The idea is to offer as many free cancer and other health screening services on the day and be available to impart information and entertain questions from the general public. Knowledge is power and early detection for any disease is key. Our contribution is to offer our services free. What message do you have for Nigeria as the world celebrates World Cancer Day? Oge: We as individuals needs to take ownership of our health because there are places we can go to get screened, we do not have to wait until we get down with the disease. The earlier we get screened the more chances of survival. We also need to conquer fear that having cancer does not mean a death sentence. We urge the government to bring in more Non- governmental Organisations and foundations just like what they did to HIV drugs, because we do not have a health insurance that is working so government can use the same template used for HIV for cancer.
Sunday 04 February 2018 C002D5556 SUNDAY BD 45 Health&Science Roche releases report for 2017, results looking good KEMI AJUMOBI Roche has released her report for 2017 with results that shows the company did quite well. The report revealed that their group sales recorded an increase of 5% at constant exchange rates and in Swiss francs. Their Pharmaceuticals Division sales went up 5%, thanks to Ocrevus, Tecentriq, Perjeta and Alecensa. The Diagnostics Division sales grew 5%, mostly due to immunodiagnostics sales and core earnings per share grew at 5%. However, the Board proposes dividend to increase to CHF 8.30. On IFRS basis, net income decreased 9% mostly due to impairments of goodwill and intangible assets. “In 2017, we made significant progress with good growth in both divisions driven by newly launched medicines and tests. I am particularly pleased with the successful launch of Ocrevus and Hemlibra and important approvals for additional indications for Perjeta, Tecentriq and Alecensa. These medicines bring substantial benefit to patients with serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and haemophilia. Based on our strong product portfolio we are well positioned for the future.” Roche CEO Severin Schwan said. Ocrevus, used for the treatment of relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis and Hemlibra for people with haemophlia A with factor VIII inhibitors, were approved by FDA in 2017. European Commission approves Ocrevus for two forms of multiple sclerosis in January 2018. Health authorities also approved a number of line extensions for existing products including the US approvals of Perjeta for adjuvant (after surgery) treatment of HER2- positive early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, in combination with Herceptin and chemotherapy as well as full approval of Perjeta for neoadjuvant use. Another key area recorded as success for Roche in 2017 was successful partnerships. In December 2017, Roche entered into a calculated, enduring joint venture with GE Healthcare to mutually develop and co-market digital clinical result support solutions. The venture will firstly concentrate on products that hasten and advance personalised management choices for patients with cancer and those in intensive care. With GE Healthcare, Roche intends to develop an industry-first digital platform that permits flawless incorporation and investigation of patient accounts, real-world data, medical best practice and the newest research results. Roche also commenced the cobas Plasma Separation Card, a ground-breaking technology with easy sample collection while utilising the gold standard plasma sample type. How it works is that, with little quantity of blood received on uniquely designed cards, blood collection and sample transportation is made easy to understand in resource restricted locations. This feat is the pacesetter and only plasma collection card remaining unwavering under intense high temperature and humidity while making available, results that connect to the plasma viral load standard of care which also meets the WHO assessment requirements. Projecting into 2018, Roche believes that sales are expected to grow in the stable to low-single digit range (at constant exchange rates). Also, core earnings per share are targeted to grow high-single digit (at constant exchange rates). Excluding the US tax reform impact core earnings per share are targeted to grow broadly in line with sales. Roche expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs. The Board of Directors proposes a dividend increase to CHF 8.30 per share and non-voting equity security. Subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting of shareholders on 13 March 2018, this will be Roche’s 31st consecutive annual dividend increase. Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. NTDs: Nigeria ranks 17 in treatment coverage index MICHEAL ANI Nigeria has been ranked 17th out of 47 countries in treatment coverage index with a coverage index of 48 percent for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in 2016, according to a scorecard by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). NTDS are a mixture of treatable and preventable diseases that place heavy burden on over one billion people on the planet. They include lymphatic Filariasis (commonly known as elephantiasis), Onchocerciasis (known as river blindness), Schistosomiasis (known as snail fever and bilharzia), soil-transmitted Helminthes, Trachoma (commonly known as Ophthalmia or granular conjunctivitis) and guinea worm among others. The countries include Swaziland, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Liberia, Cabo Verde, Benin, Cameroon, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Zambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Mali. Others are Central African Republic, Eritrea, Sudan, Mozambique, Burundi, Congo, Chad, The Gambia, Angola, Djibouti, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Bo- tswana, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Niger, Comoros, Equitorial Guinea, Lesotho, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia. The ALMA, for the first time in its annual scorecard on disease progress had added NTDs in its presentation at the 30th African Union Heads of State Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on recently. The scorecard, which is reviewed by African heads of state every year, put NTDs alongside malaria and maternal and child health as top health priorities for the continent. A statement by Emily Schacter, Associate of the Global Health Strategies, U.S, said that the index reported progress on the five most common NTDs including lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted Helminths and trachoma. “Developed by the World Health Organisation in collaboration with Uniting to Combat NTDs, this index reports progress for the 47 NTD-affected countries in sub- Saharan Africa. “It reports their strategies to treat and prevent the five most common NTDs which are lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted Helminths and trachoma. “By adding NTDs to the scorecard, African leaders are making a public commitment to hold themselves accountable for progress on these diseases,’’ the statement said. The statement quoted Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as saying, “Improving the health, education and productivity of our poorest citizens by eliminating NTDs can put Africa on the path to prosperity and universal health coverage. “I urge my fellow African leaders to build on the progress already made and increase their efforts to tackle NTDs to make them a subject for much concerted effort and action at the African Union,’’ Desalegn said. Also, Thoko Elphick-Pooley, Director, Uniting to Combat NTDs Support Centre, said, “Beating NTDs is essential for Africa’s economic development. “When it comes to diseases that affect the very poorest and most marginalised communities, it is up to political leaders to make them a priority. “We are thrilled that African Heads of State will be reviewing their progress every year and holding themselves accountable for equitable health outcomes,’’.
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BusinessDay 04 Feb 2018

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