The Silent Killer in Our Midst: What Every Nigerian Needs to Know About Pancreatic Cancer

Picture this: after a hearty plate of jollof rice, pounded yam, or egusi soup, a small organ the size of a banana quietly goes to work behind your stomach—breaking down that food with powerful enzymes and releasing insulin to manage the sugar from your garri or soft drinks. That’s your pancreas, the hardworking engine many of us never think about… until it starts failing silently. In Nigeria, pancreatic cancer is sneaking up on more families, often called the “silent killer” because it hides until it’s advanced and much harder to treat.

Today, on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, November 20, 2025, let’s shine a bright purple light on this disease. As a doctor who has seen too many patients arrive at ESUTH or other centers like UCH Ibadan when it’s already too late, I urge us all—whether in Lagos traffic, Abuja offices, Kano markets, or Enugu’s grand cities—to listen to our bodies. Pancreatic cancer may not be as common here as breast, prostate, or cervical cancer, but it’s rising fast with our changing lifestyles, and the outcomes are heartbreaking when caught late.

Globally, over 500,000 people are diagnosed yearly. Still, in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, the reported numbers are lower (around 1–3 cases per 100,000 people)—partly because many cases go undiagnosed or unreported due to limited access to scans and specialists. Yet, studies from centres in Ibadan, Lagos, and southeast Nigeria show most patients present at stage 4, with survival often measured in months rather than years. The good news? We can change this by spotting risks early and acting fast.

What Is Pancreatic Cancer?

Your pancreas does two big jobs: producing digestive juices (exocrine) and hormones like insulin (endocrine). Over 95% of pancreatic cancers start in the exocrine part as adenocarcinoma—a fast-growing tumour that can spread to the liver, lungs, or bones.

In Nigeria, we see it more in people over 50, often linked to diabetes (which is exploding here), smoking, heavy ogogoro or beer drinking, and diets shifting toward more processed foods, red meat, and sugary drinks.

Key risks we face daily:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco/snuff – Still the top avoidable cause.
• Diabetes, especially new-onset after 50 (Nigeria has one of the highest diabetes rates in Africa).
• Obesity from sedentary jobs and fast food.
• Chronic pancreatitis – Often from heavy alcohol or gallstones.
• Family history – If breast, ovarian, or colon cancer runs in your lineage (e.g., BRCA genes).
• Infections like hepatitis (common here) may also play a role.

If you have two or more of these, you’re at higher risk—talk to your doctor.

How to Recognise the Warning Signs (Don’t Ignore Them!)

This cancer whispers, not shouts. Early symptoms are vague and easily blamed on “typhoid,” “malaria,” ulcer, or “village people.” By the time jaundice appears, it’s often advanced.

Watch out for:

• Yellow skin/eyes (jaundice) + itchy body or dark urine/tea-coloured pee
• Pain in the upper belly or back (worse after eating fufu or lying flat)
• Unexplained weight loss (even when eating well)
• New diabetes or sudden worsening of old diabetes
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or feeling full quickly
• Light-coloured, greasy, floating stools (pancreas not digesting oil/protein properly)
• Extreme tiredness

In my clinic, I’ve seen traders dismiss back pain as “carrying too much load,” only to find a tumour months later. If symptoms last >2 weeks, especially if you’re over 50 or diabetic—go to the hospital now!

If You Notice Symptoms: What to Do Immediately

Don’t self-medicate with agbo or wait for prayer alone—time is everything!

1. Visit your nearest general hospital or clinic today. Tell the doctor your full story and family history.
2. Tests needed: Blood tests (liver function, CA19-9 marker if available), ultrasound (affordable and common), CT scan, or endoscopic ultrasound (available at teaching hospitals like ESUTH or private centres in Enugu).
3. Get referred fast to a gastroenterologist or oncologist.
4. If early, surgery (Whipple) + chemo can cure some. Even advanced cases now have better chemo options.

Early catch can mean years of life—I’ve seen it!

Prevention: Yes, We Can Reduce Our Risk!

No foolproof prevention, but lifestyle changes cut risk massively:

• Stop smoking – Risk drops quickly after quitting.
• Control weight – Walk, dance to gospel songs, eat more vegetables, ugu, okra, fruits; less fried akara, suya, and indomie daily.
• Manage diabetes well – Check blood sugar, take meds, eat balanced (less pure water & bread).
• Limit alcohol – Palm wine, beer, and ogogoro in excess damages the pancreas.
• Eat Nigerian superfoods – Bitter leaf, scent leaf, beans, fish, and whole grains.
• Know your family history and get genetic advice if needed.

Screening: For High-Risk People Only

No nationwide screening like mammograms—too rare and costly for everyone. But if strong family history (multiple relatives with pancreatic, breast, or ovarian cancer) or known gene mutations:

• Start annual MRI or endoscopic ultrasound from age 50 (or 10 years before the youngest relative diagnosed).
• Available at some tertiary centres—ask your doctor.

Let’s Demand Better Together

Pancreatic cancer is tough, but in Nigeria, we’re tougher. Survival is improving slowly with better centres and awareness. This World Pancreatic Cancer Day, wear purple, share this post, talk to your family about symptoms, and support organisations fighting for more research and affordable care.

Your pancreas keeps you energised for hustle—return the favour by listening when it whispers for help.

If worried, visit your doctor or contact me via hospital channels. Together, we will win this fight!

Stay strong.