Introduction

There is an emerging epidemic of cancers and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. Despite 115,950 Nigerians developing cancers in 2018, knowledge about cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment remains poor in Nigeria and access to cancer diagnosis and treatment is often out of reach for the average Nigerian. 

The Innovating Health and Cancer Care Foundation (i-CAN foundation) is a non-governmental organization founded in 2018 and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2019.

The i-CAN foundation aims to improve healthcare and cancer care in Nigeria through research, innovation, education and early diagnosis and treatment of cancers and other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and depression. Through its activities and partnerships with other local and international organizations, research institutes and hospitals, it seeks to prevent cancers and make diagnosis and treatment of the most common cancers in Nigeria (Figure 1 below) and other chronic disease care more easily accessible and affordable with the overall goal of improving survival from these diseases in Nigeria.