By Stephen Adeleye.
A Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN), Kogi State chapter, has sensitised students on regular screening for early detection, prevention and eradication of cancer.
Hajia Hassanat Omojo, a Health Personnel, sensitised the students and staff of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja on Monday, as part of activities to mark the “2024 World Cancer Day”.
Omojo, who is also a Technical member of CISCANEN, advised the people to go for cancer screening tests at least once a year or two, saying, “prevention is better than cure”.
The health expert defined Cancer as a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue.
She highlighted the most common types of cancer as breast, cervical, prostate, colon, melanoma, lung and basal cell cancers.
She said, “in Nigeria, cervical and breast cancer are two of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, while prostrate cancer in men”.
According to her, the symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast.
The expert described cervical cancer as the malignant tumour of the lower-most part of the uterus (womb) that can be prevented by smear test and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
She, however noted that vaccinated women would still need regular screening as the vaccine protect against most but not all HPV types that cause cervical cancer.
Omojo emphasised that cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease, saying, “it is the second most common cancer in women in Nigeria”.
She stressed the need for people to take preventive measures against cancer, adding that it could be cured if detected at early stage through regular screening tests.
“Whether a person’s cancer can be cured depends on the type and stage of the cancer, the type of treatment they can get, and other factors.
“Some cancers are more likely to be cured than others. But each cancer needs to be treated differently. There isn’t one cure for cancer,” she said.
She called for high-income countries to prioritize access to HPV vaccines for adolescent girls in low and middle-income countries.
Also speaking, Mrs Rose Alabi, North Central Coordinator of CISCANEN, said cancer was never a death sentence hence the need to sensitise the public on preventive measures.
Alabi said CISCANEN’s awareness efforts against cancer was to spur individuals to take action to protect themselves and the society at large.
According to her, cancer is a major malaise against public health globally but with our collective commitment and involvement in the campaign for early detection and treatment victory against it is certain.
On his part, Mr Reuben Joshua, the state Coordinator of CiSCANEN, said the world unite every 4th of February, to raise awareness on fundamental cancer issues.
Joshua described CiSCANEN as a national coalition of CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, Foundation and Institutions working on the eradication of Cancers in all Nigeria communities.
He said that CiSCANEN in Kogi chose the GYB Model Science Secondary School to sensitise the students and staff and connect with the public in spearheading the annual awareness day and beyond.
“Between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “Close the cancer gap.” This year marks the third and final year of the campaign.
“The theme for this year is “Together, we challenge those in power”, he said.
Joshua stressed the need for people to be more health conscious including their environment, what they eat, drink and lifestyle in order to prevent cancer.
The highlight of the event was the set up of CiSCANEN Cancer Eradication Club in the school as a plan to sustain campaign on cancer prevention and eradication.
One of the students, Mirabel Adejoh, thanked the organisation for enlightened them on how to prevent cancer.
“We are more enlightened now on cancer prevention and eradication, we will in turn sensitise our parents, guardians, families and loved ones on the disease,” Adejoh said.
