Dr. Adedayo Joseph, a Nigerian oncologist at the Medserve-LUTH Cancer Center, serves as the principal investigator for the HYPOAfrica clinical trial. This multi-country study evaluates hypofractionated radiotherapy, an approach that delivers radiation in fewer, higher doses than conventional therapy. The trial aims to confirm whether this method is safe and effective for African patients, while assessing its practicality in health systems affected by equipment limits and staff shortages. Recruitment for the trial is complete, and initial results are currently being prepared for publication.
Despite Nigeria having a population of approximately 238 million people, the country lacked a dedicated paediatric radiation oncology programme until Joseph established one in 2020. Because no equivalent specialized training was available in Sub-Saharan Africa, she trained at the West German Proton Therapy Centre and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States. She then assembled an expert team and convinced hospital leadership to support the initiative.
To support families facing social and financial barriers, Joseph also directs the Dorcas Cancer Foundation. The foundation introduced a patient navigation programme providing transport and follow-up care. Consequently, the average wait from diagnosis to treatment fell from roughly 200 days to just over 50 days, while treatment abandonment dropped from over 50 percent to under 10 percent. Her pioneering efforts were recognized when she was named to the Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa 2026 list.
Difficult words
- oncologist — a doctor who specializes in treating cancer
- conventional — following traditional or widely accepted standard methods
- practicality — the state of being useful and suitable for real conditions
- abandonment — the act of stopping or giving up something permanently
- pioneering — introducing new ideas or methods for the first time
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What challenges do healthcare systems face when adopting new medical treatments in resource-limited settings?
- How can patient support programmes, like transport assistance, improve access to medical care?
- Why is local specialized training important for developing long-term healthcare capacity in a region?
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