CANCER PATIENT TRENDS AND EXCESS LIFETIME CANCER RISK: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JOS NORTH AND SOUTH AT JUTH ONCOLOGY CLINIC

Background: The Oncology Clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital has observed a significant influx of cancer patients residing in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas in Plateau State with a rich history of mining activities spanning several decades. This observation prompted this study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for residents in these areas by measuring environmental background ionizing radiation levels.

Methods: Medical records from the Oncology Clinic were reviewed to extract data on cancer types, patients' residences, and gender. A radiation survey meter was employed to measure background ionizing radiation levels across 47 sample points in 11 selected locations within Jos North and 52 sample points in 10 selected locations within Jos South.

Results: The findings revealed alarmingly high ELCR values, significantly surpassing global averages. The minimum ELCR values were over 200% above the world standard, while the maximum values soared to 1200% above the global mean. Specifically, the mean absorbed dose rate for inhabitants in Jos North was 0.292 µSv/h, and that of Jos South was 0.285 µSv/h, both starkly higher than the global standard of 0.13 µSv/h.

Conclusion: This study underscores the pressing need to address the environmental and health ramifications of prolonged mining activities in Central Nigeria. The elevated radiation levels and associated cancer risks call for immediate policy interventions to mitigate these risks and safeguard community health.