Runcie C.W. Chidebe

Project PINK BLUE - Health & Psychological Trust Centre · Research & Patient's Care

In the current technology-rich society, having sufficient skills to use information and communication technology (ICT) for problem-solving is advantageous in the labor market from a human capital perspective. However, older workers tend to have lower digital problem-solving skills than their younger counterparts. Practice engagement theory suggests...

Previous research demonstrates that social support facilitates successful aging across all cultures. However, the factors that potentially mediate the link between social support and successful aging remain unclear. This study examined whether a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem mediate the association between social support and successful aging. I...

Recent studies linked numeracy—the ability to understand numeric information -- and a variety of economic well-being outcomes (e.g., employment, income). However, aging is generally associated with lower numeracy skills, and in turn, older workers may face disadvantages in the labor market. The key to maintaining and promoting numeracy skills over...

The education-health pathway is well-documented whereby greater human capital such as educational attainment can provide health benefits over the life course. However, there is evidence of diminishing health benefits from education for immigrants compared to non-immigrants, partially due to structural factors (e.g., health insurance) limiting healt...

Background Cervical cancer (CC) is 90% preventable with the HPV vaccine against sub-types 16 and 18, yet an estimated 21 women die every day from CC, and 7,968 die annually in Nigeria. Most of the women diagnosed with CC are older women, yet the gerontological aspect of CC among this population is largely scarce. Older women living with CC are at r...

Background Despite having a high cancer burden that is still rising, Nigeria, like many rapidly aging countries in sub-Saharan Africa, due to a very high burden of infectious diseases, is not paying adequate attention to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This study explored the experiences of cancer survivors for informing tailored canc...

Introduction By 2050 global incidence and mortality rates for ovarian cancer, the most lethal of the female cancers, are to rise 55% and 70% respectively. By then there will be almost half a million cases and over 350,000 deaths each year. Seventy percent of women who have the disease live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the incr...

Objectives Cancer is an enormous public health burden among Black and Latinx cancer survivors, and they are at risk of facing barriers to accessing cancer treatment and support in the United States. This study explored the unique challenges and experiences faced by Black and Latinx cancer survivors through the lens of their caregivers, including th...

The Nigerian Civil War (or Nigerian-Biafran War, 1967–1970) was fought between the Nigerian federal government and the defunct Republic of Biafra. Biafra recruited young men and boys (child soldiers) to fight the war, but little attention has been given to understanding the mental health outcomes of the War on Biafran veterans. Although there are f...

Background and Objectives Advancing automation technologies are replacing certain occupations such as those involving simple food preparation more than occupations such as those in STEM fields (e.g., engineering, health care). Older workers generally face higher job automation risks in part due to their lower levels of digital skills. A better unde...

e23251 Background: Nigeria ranks top on the incidence of cancer as well as on cancer-related deaths in Africa with an estimated 72,000 cancer-related deaths and 124,000 incidences annually. Cancer patients in this population, report some of the worst patient outcomes. Previous studies have explored several systems and patient-level factors responsi...

12106 Background: Cancer patients undergo a multifaceted journey fraught with substantial psychological distress and coping hurdles, profoundly influencing their overall well-being. The intricate nexus between perceived stress and diminished Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in this population has garnered significant attention. However, the p...

Background Ovarian cancer is a challenging disease to diagnose and treat effectively with five-year survival rates below 50%. Previous patient experience research in high-income countries highlighted common challenges and opportunities to improve survival and quality of life for women affected by ovarian cancer. However, no comparable data exist fo...

Over 2.3 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) in 2022, making it the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. This number is only set to increase, with incidence predicted to grow by over 45% by 2045. Many of these patients will experience advanced or metastatic disease, which is also sometimes referred to as secondary brea...

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is cancer that has spread from the primary organ (breast) to other distant organs such as bone, spine, lungs, brain, and liver. It is a treatable but incurable cancer. While the burden of mBC is devastating to all patients, older mBC patients have poorer prognoses, poor access to care and experience social...

Purpose: Nigeria has the highest breast cancer (BC) burden in Africa. While the survival rates for BC are over 90% in many high-income countries; low-and middle-income countries like Nigeria have 40% BC survival rates. Prior studies show that the burden and poor BC survival rates are exacerbated by both health system and individual level factors, y...

This manuscript describes the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) international consensus guidelines updated at the last two ABC international consensus conferences (ABC 6 in 2021, virtual, and ABC 7 in 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal), organized by the ABC Global Alliance. It provides the main recommendations on how to best manage patients with advanced breast...

Black men hold the highest prostate cancer burden among all ethnicities; thus, there is an urgent need for research to inform the development and implementation of a culturally tailored intervention to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. In response, the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) Consortium was created to advance health eq...

Background and Objectives Previous research demonstrates that social support facilitates successful aging across all cultures. However, the factors that potentially mediate the link between social support and successful aging remain unclear. This study examined whether a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem mediate the association between social suppo...

The link between anxiety, depression, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer patients is currently gaining attention, yet no research to date, have investigated the cognitive coping strategies moderating this link. This study evaluated the moderating role of cognitive emotion regulation (CER) in the association between anxiety, depression, and...

Nigeria has the highest burden of breast cancer (BC) in Africa. While the survival rates for BC are over 90% in many high-income countries; low-and middle-income countries like Nigeria have 40% BC survival rates. Prior studies show that the burden and poor BC survival rates are exacerbated by both health system and individual level factors, yet the...

Despite the overall benefits of technological advancement, ongoing job automation has disrupted the U.S. workforce. Of particular concern is that increasing levels of job replacement—driven by job automation—is likely to be a risk factor for economic uncertainty, both for workers and the labor market. Older workers with lower educational attainment...

The growing cancer mortality, poor access to palliative care, treatment hesitancy, poor survivorship, and limited oncology healthcare infrastructure have been investigated in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, the orthodox treatment and management of cancer is still greatly influenced by superstitious belief and spiritual connotations. Yet, the socio-...

Community colleges (CCs) play an important role in educating healthcare workers engaged in caring for aging populations with greater healthcare and long-term care needs. Healthcare employers and nursing home leaders are obligated to ensure that care provided by their employees meets quality standards, is patient-centered and free from psychological...

The lack of satisfactory retirement plans coupled with poor retirees’ well-being has led to the introduction of different pension and social security policies in Nigeria. Of all the public servants impacted by the weak pension system, Nigerian veterans are the most vulnerable. Veterans spent their youthful years serving the nation and defending its...

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is incurable and devastating to all cancer patients. In Nigeria, the proportion of patients with stage III or IV/metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis is 98%. Although many younger mBC patients live for years, older mBC patients have poorer prognosis, more physical symptoms, poorer access to palliative care, and exper...

Rapidly advancing technologies are replacing human labor. Particularly, occupations with more routine tasks, such as sales and simple food preparations, are known to be at a higher risk of job automation than those with non-routine tasks, such as STEM occupations (e.g., engineering, health care). Additionally, an aging workforce generally faces hig...

Community colleges (CCs) play a critical role in educating healthcare workers that are important to an aging population. This study investigated the role literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills play in CC student success in the classroom and the workplace. Semi-structured virtual and in-person interviews were completed with CC administrators...

Despite the growing cancer incidence and mortality rate in Nigeria, there exists prevalence of imminent and aggressive stage of cancer diagnosis among Nigerian men due to cancer risk behaviors and lack of cancer preventive behaviors such as early screening. This adds to the increasing rates of cancer disparities in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. R...

Job automation is a topical issue in a technology-driven labor market. However, greater amounts of human capital (e.g., often measured by education, and information-processing skills, including adult literacy) are linked with job security. A knowledgeable and skilled labor force better resists unemployment and/or rebounds from job disruption brough...

This qualitative study explored the unique challenges and experiences faced by Black and Latinx cancer survivors through the lens of their caregivers, including the specific cultural, social, and systemic factors that influence cancer survivorship experience within these communities in the United States. We conducted six focus group discussions (th...

PURPOSE A recent estimate indicates that Nigeria has about 70 clinical oncologists (COs) providing care for 124,815 patients with cancer and its 213 million total population. This staggering deficit is likely to worsen as about 90% of Nigerian physicians are eager to leave the country for perceived greener pastures in the United States, the United...

Purpose: Access to radiotherapy (RT) is now one of the stark examples of global cancer inequities. Over 800,000 new cancer cases require potentially curative or palliative RT services in Africa, arguably less than 15% of these patients currently have access to this important service. For a population of over 200 million, Nigeria requires a minimum...

Purpose: For a population of over 201 million, Nigeria has only 4 doctors per 10,000 patients and 16.1 nurses, midwives per 10,000 patients, and less than 100 clinical oncologists for over 100,000 cancer patients. While Nigeria has one of the worst disease burdens in the world and a workforce shortage; 9 in 10 Nigerian physicians are seeking opport...

Purpose: Over 70% of breast cancer patients in Nigeria present metastatic/advanced breast cancer (MBC). An estimated 90% of breast cancer deaths are a result of metastatic disease, either at diagnosis or recurrence. MBC is associated with a severe burden to the patient, family, healthcare delivery system and society at large. Women living with MBC...

Purpose: Access to radiotherapy (RT) is now one of the stark examples of global cancer inequities. More than 800,000 new cancer cases require potentially curative or palliative RT services in Africa, arguably <15% of these patients currently have access to this important service. For a population of more than 206 million, Nigeria requires a minimu...

Background Nigeria has the highest cancer burden in Africa with 124,815 cancer cases and 78,899 cancer deaths in 2020. The limited number of oncology specialists, inaccessibility of essential cancer medicines like chemotherapies, and suboptimal delivery of cancer care lead to poor treatment outcomes. Oncology pharmacy (OP) practitioners are critica...

Background: For a population of over 201 million, Nigeria has only 4 doctors per 10,000 patients and 16.1 nurses, midwives per 10,000 patients, and less than 100 clinical oncologists for over 100,000 cancer patients. While Nigeria has one of the worst cancer burdens in the world and workforce shortage; 9 in 10 Nigerian physicians are seeking for op...

Background: Over 70% of breast cancer patients in Nigeria present metastatic/advanced breast cancer (MBC). An estimated 90% of breast cancer deaths are as a result of metastatic disease, either at diagnosis or recurrence. MBC is associated with severe burden to the patient, family, healthcare delivery system and the society at large. Women living w...

PURPOSE: Access to radiotherapy (RT) is now one of the stark examples of global cancer inequities. Over 800,000 new cancer cases require potentially curative or palliative RT services in Africa, arguably less than 15% of these patients currently have access to this important service. For a population of over 200 million, Nigeria requires a minimum...

Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and among Nigerian women. With technological and medical advancements, especially in the early detection of chronic illnesses, there is a reduction in cancer deaths, and more women are living as cancer survivors in Nigeria. Despite the increase in the number of cancer survivors, many survivors strugg...

Objectives. Cancer mortality rate is high in Nigeria with about 102,000 new cases and 72,000 deaths per year. Cancer incidence rate is projected to increase with its rapidly aging population and growth — emphasizing its growing cancer burden. Due to Nigeria’s weak health system, limited cancer therapy and expert oncological services, lack of cancer...

Objectives Ovarian cancer patient experience data is limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s online study in 2018 attracted 1531 responses from 44 mainly high-income countries. Recognising the need for robust data to support national efforts to improve women’s survival and quality of lif...

Introduction While some countries have positive outlooks and technology at their disposals to detect and treat cancer in its earliest stages, other countries frequently demonstrate trends of late-stage presentation and treatment hesitancy. Nigeria is a nation that has a high cancer burden, with poorer outcomes than higher income countries (HICs). T...

It is apparent that there are direct and indirect psychological effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, and the residual impact on the mental wellbeing of Nigerians in the coming years will be pervasive. Yet, we pay little attention to the psychological impact of the pandemic on Nigerians.

Despite an estimated population of over 201 million and over 115,950 yearly diagnosed new cases of cancer, Nigeria does not have dedicated medical oncologists. Most oncology care is delivered through surgical and clinical oncologists, who are trained in both radiation and medical oncology and they number fewer than 50 in the country. With a limited...

e22508 Background: Abuja, Nigeria’s annual World Cancer Day Walk (WCDW) is a tool for promoting public awareness of cancer risk factors, preventative lifestyle strategies, and the importance of early screening as critical elements of prevention and control. The day includes physical activities (walk, race, ride, skate, cycle, marathon), as well as...

Cancer is a disease common in every country around the globe with high incidences and deaths. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is often associated with a death sentence which makes the individual exhibit self-denial attributes, mixed negative emotions, depression, and anxiety. This study investigated the gap in supportive care and the role of so...

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the efficacy of an online navigation training designed to improve trainee confidence in performing core patient navigation tasks among Nigerian nurses, patient advocates, and cancer survivors. The online training originally designed for US patient navigators was supplemented by a Nigerian health system in...

Background: Abuja's annual World Cancer Day Walk (WCDW) is a tool for promoting public awareness of cancer risk factors, preventative lifestyle strategies, and importance of early screening as critical elements of prevention and control. The effectiveness of the walk in attracting the most vulnerable populations has not been studied.

The healthcare system in Nigeria is marred by unending barriers that result in loss of lives and an array of health complications. People travel long distances for medical attention and often wait endlessly to access medical care. These delays have usually resulted in a disconnection between diagnosis and treatment. The speed bumps in healthcare de...

The healthcare system in Nigeria is marred by unending barriers that result in loss of lives and an array of health complications. People travel long distances for medical attention and often wait endlessly to access medical care. These delays have usually resulted in a disconnection between diagnosis and treatment. The speed bumps in healthcare de...

Background Despite a population of over 180 million and over 115,950 new cases of cancer diagnosed every year, Nigeria has no dedicated medical oncologists (MO). Most oncology care is delivered through surgical (SO) and radiation oncologists (RO) who number less than 50 in the entire country. With the limited number of oncology professionals, cance...

Purpose: There is limited access to quality palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim was to describe the development of the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Palliative Care in Africa (ECHO-PACA) program and describe a preliminary evaluation of attitudes and knowledge of participants r...

Background and context: Several studies showed that the use of the recombinant monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy, for breast cancer with overexpression of the HER-2 protein or amplification of the HER-2/neu gene reduced the risk of recurrence by 50% in women irrespective of nodal status. In Nigeria, breast cancer...

Background: Early detection and improvements/advancements in medicine have contributed to an overall decrease in mortality and morbidity rates resulting from cancer diagnoses. Despite this improvement in national and global health status, Nigerians continue to be diagnosed at a later stage, with a more aggressive disease state. This is an important...

Background and context: In Nigeria, cancer leads to >72,000 deaths per annum (30,924 for male and 40,647 for female). This number is set to increase given that there are 102,000 new cases of cancer every year. The estimated incidence for prostate cancer is (12%) and estimated mortality prostate (13%). Prostate cancer is the third leading cancer dea...

Background and context: Cancer diagnosis comes with a lot of challenges. It is a huge burden to the patient, family, and community; subjecting them to financial crisis, emotional distress, dearth of self-esteem, and physiologic deformations. From a patient's perspective, treatment of cancer is complex and complicated with the weak healthcare system...

Background and context: Through the UICC and Pfizer Oncology SPARC MBC grant, Project PINK BLUE - Health and Psychological Trust Centre implemented Breast Cancer Navigation and Palliative Program (BCNPP) with strategic activities focused on metastatic breast cancer with the goal “to empower women at risk of, or living with advanced breast cancer an...

Background and context: Nigeria has been rated the 1st nation in Africa and 5th in the world with highest cervical cancer deaths with >26 women dying daily. Breast cancer incidence is higher with 90 new cases per 100,000 women annually in some western countries, compared with 30 per 100,000 in some African countries. In contrast, breast cancer deat...

Purpose Through the Union for International Cancer Control and Pfizer Oncology SPARC MBC grant, Project PINK BLUE–Health & Psychological Trust Centre implemented the Breast Cancer Navigation and Palliative Program with strategic activities focused on metastatic breast cancer with the goal of “empower[ing] women at risk of, or living with advanced b...

Purpose Cancer diagnosis comes with many challenges. Diagnosis is a huge burden to the patient, family, and community that subjects them to financial crisis, emotional distress, a dearth of self-esteem, and physiologic deformations. From a patient’s perspective, the treatment of cancer is complex and complicated with a weak health care system, atti...

Background: There is limited access to quality Palliative Care (PC) for advanced cancer patients being treated in Sub Saharan Africa due to limited PC knowledge among health care providers in the region. The goal of this innovative project was to improve access by offering cost-effective training to these providers using Project ECHO (Extension for...

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is now a critical issue in breast health, as over 70% of the breast cancer patients present late stages (III & IV) with few patients having access to palliative care needs, treatment facilities and information. Studies have consistently explored the effects of different psychosocial interventions in improving the qual...

As the next generation of cancer advocates and leaders, we inherit a legacy that is in many ways, remarkable. The past few decades have seen rapid and unparalleled progress in cancer control. Investigative breakthroughs, such as those in cancer genomics and immunology, have transformed our understanding of the disease. New discoveries in cancer pre...

Tropical diseases have been linked to the development of diverse forms of cancers plaguing tropical regions. Schistosomiasis, hepatitis B and HIV infections, to mention a few, are linked with squamous cell carcinoma, liver cancer and Kaposi sarcoma respectively, and are quickly becoming endemic in the region. The sub-Saharan region is noted to have...