Why these cancer patients face a lonely fight

As Nigeria grapples with a rapid rise in cancer cases, patients say they often feel as if they are on their own.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3600x2400+0+0/resize/3600x2400!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F61%2F60%2F99e0555d46e49f4e3fe9f89d2211%2Fcancer-nigeria2.jpg' alt='Hundreds of people gather in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, to mark World Cancer Day on February 7, marching to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. The World Health Organization cites Nigeria as a country with a rapidly rising number of cancer cases.'/><p>As Nigeria grapples with a rapid rise in cancer cases, patients say they often feel as if they are on their own.</p><p>(Image credit: Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-135365' />