Solomon Rotimi: How Lifestyle, Environment, and Genetics Drive the Rising Breast Cancer Burden in Nigeria

Professor Solomon Rotimi, Head of Biochemistry and Applied Research Coordinator at Covenant University's Center of Excellence, has sounded the alarm on the rising breast cancer rates linked to lifestyle and environmental changes. In a recent conversation with Bennett Oghifo, he also spotlighted the long-overlooked role of African genomics in global cancer research — a gap that must be urgently addressed to make precision medicine truly inclusive.

Why Cancer Research?
Rotimi’s journey into cancer research began after his Ph.D. in Biochemistry, when he attended a seminar by Prof. Folakemi Odedina of the Mayo Clinic. She revealed that being a Black man was a major risk factor for prostate cancer — a claim that challenged Rotimi's scientific understanding and set him on a new path. Encouraged to explore why Black populations suffer disproportionately, he expanded his focus to include breast cancer, especially the aggressive triple-negative type that affects Black women at alarming rates.

The Role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes
Rotimi explained that BRCA1 and BRCA2 — named after breast cancer — are "genomic police officers" that repair DNA damage. When mutated, they lose this critical function, allowing cells to grow uncontrollably and become cancerous. These mutations can be inherited, making early detection crucial.

Why Breast Cancer Rates Are Climbing in Nigeria
Despite having the same genetic makeup as previous generations, Nigerians today face much higher cancer risks. Rotimi pointed to increased exposure to environmental toxins like plastics (BPA), hormonal disruptors, rising stress levels, and vitamin D deficiency due to reduced sunlight exposure. These modern lifestyle shifts, he said, are fueling the cancer surge, with particular BRCA gene variants now found to be more common among Nigerians.

Why Africa Is Falling Behind
The International Agency for Research on Cancer reported that about 45 Nigerian women die of breast cancer daily — a sharp contrast to declining death rates in Europe and America. Rotimi attributed this to the dominance of Western-centric research in precision medicine. Because over 95% of cancer genomics studies are based on white populations, Africa has been largely sidelined, leaving Nigerian healthcare without the local data needed for targeted, effective interventions.

Breaking New Ground at Covenant University
Unlike previous studies where Nigerian samples were sent abroad, Rotimi and his team conducted their entire research — from sample collection to analysis — within Nigeria. This achievement marks a major step toward building local capacity in genomics research, critical for developing effective cancer treatments tailored to African populations.

Genetics, Risk, and Hope
Rotimi emphasized that while BRCA mutations increase cancer risk, not everyone who carries them will develop the disease. Early detection, lifestyle changes (like adopting a Mediterranean diet), and regular screenings can significantly reduce risks. Genetic testing, he said, should be made more accessible and affordable in Nigeria to help families better manage inherited risks.

Unique Genetic Markers Among Nigerians
Rotimi revealed that his team found unique genetic patterns (haplotypes) in Nigerians that differ from those in Western populations. This discovery underscores the urgent need for population-specific genetic tests to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure accurate risk assessment.

The Call for Population-Specific Testing
Finally, Rotimi stressed that Africa must invest in its own genetic databases and screening tools. "It’s about equity. It’s about saving lives," he said, arguing that precision medicine must be adapted to the African genetic reality if it’s ever going to be truly effective.

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