Experts Warn of Rising Prostate Cases

A silent health crisis is unfolding across Nigeria as medical experts raise the alarm over a surge in late-stage prostate enlargement and cancer diagnoses.

At a gathering marking the first anniversary of The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos, specialists revealed a troubling trend: over 80 percent of Nigerian men only seek medical help when their condition has progressed beyond the point of a cure.

This delay is not just a matter of statistics; it is leading to a wave of severe, preventable complications, including permanent kidney damage and avoidable deaths.

The danger often begins with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or common prostate enlargement, which can silently obstruct urine flow. Left untreated, this pressure eventually backs up into the kidneys, triggering renal failure.

Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, the founder of TPC, pointed out that while early detection is common in developed nations, the reverse is true in Nigeria, where fear and a lack of awareness keep men away from the hospital. To bridge this gap, Ekwueme announced ambitious plans to establish the country’s first dedicated robotic cancer center in Imo State, a facility that will combine advanced surgery and radiotherapy under one roof.

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Despite the sobering warnings, the event also served as a celebration of local medical progress. In just one year, the clinic successfully performed 100 robotic-assisted prostate surgeries, attracting patients not only from Nigeria but from the United States, the United Kingdom, and as far as Brazil.

This milestone reflects a growing capacity for minimally invasive care within the country, allowing patients to undergo complex procedures and return home in a matter of days—a feat previously thought possible only by traveling abroad.

The human impact of these medical advancements was brought to life through the testimonies of survivors. Retired Major General John Enenche described his recovery as a “divine intervention,” noting that he was discharged just 48 hours after his robotic surgery.

He joined fellow survivor Ben Alozie in urging men over the age of 40 to abandon the “culture of silence” and prioritize routine screenings. Their message was simple: prostate cancer is not a death sentence, but the difference between life and death almost always depends on catching the disease before it has a chance to spread.