By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
A Non-Governmental Organization, Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria, (CISCANEN), has announced plans to set up cancer sensitization clubs across schools in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
This it said, is in a bid to create awareness among youngsters on cancer prevention and control in Kogi State.
Kogi State co-ordinator of CISCANEN, Mr. Ben Joshua, stated this when the group held an enlightenment session with the students of Muslim Community Secondary school, Lokongoma, Lokoja, North Central Nigeria, on the prevalence of cancer disease, its prevention and control measures.
“CISCANEN in conjunction with the management of the Muslim community secondary school, Lokongoma, Lokoja will set up Cancer Sensitization Clubs in the school and other schools in the state capital to knowledge for early detection, diagnoses, and treatment of the disease to reduce its scourge, especially among the females who are worst affected by the disease.
According to Joshua, “Cancer is a deadly disease that kills more than HIV, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
“Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, as research shows that about 500,000 new cases of cancer are being diagnosed every year in Nigeria, with over 250,000 deaths recorded annually in Nigeria,”
Globally, there are estimated 20 million new cases of cancer and about 10 million deaths from cancer ailments, Joshua said.
Joshua said the awareness campaign aimed to significantly reduce illnesses and deaths caused by breast and cervical cancer in Kogi State and Nigeria in general.
He said Breast Cancer can be prevented and controlled by screening and early detection, treatment, and palliative care.
“The signs and symptoms of breast cancer include Lumps in the breast; Nipples discharge; swelling of the breast; Irritation of breast skin or nipples; Breast or nipple pain and swelling nipples, but if you experience any of these signs, please report to your doctor,” he added.
The team leader also urged the students to beware of unhealthy food habits that could cause obesity and other causes such as smoking cigarettes, excessive use of alcohol, exposure to the sun- Radiation, as well as family history & genetics.
He advised the students to always keep a healthy weight and engage in physical exercises always to stay healthy in their lifetime.
“Choose not to drink alcohol and eat fruit on an empty stomach always in addition to consulting your doctor before taking birth control pills,” he said.
The Zonal Co-ordinator of CISCANEN in north-central Nigeria, Mrs. Rose Alabi, who also addressed the students, said, “We must prevent cancer from spreading, and as such, we are all duty-bound to fight against cancer,”
Alabi, appreciated the technical and funding support from the national secretariat of CISCANEN, the national coordinator of CISCANEN, Dr. Adenike Adegoke Elijah, and a famous philanthropist in Kogi State, Dr. Femi Akande, for their relentless interest and continued support of the Cancer prevention campaign in the state.
