Gift James
As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the World Cancer Day, NISA Premier Hospital conducted a free breast examination and prostate cancer screening among rural and urban dwellers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of its effort to tackle the scourge in the country.
This is even as stakeholders tasked the federal government to put measures in place towards reducing cancer spread in Nigeria where available statistics show that the scourge leads to over 72,000 deaths every year. This number is set to increase given that there are 102,000 new cases of cancer every year, breast cancer being the leading cancer death in Nigeria, while liver cancer is the second and prostate cancer, third.
Lamech Nabasu, Consultant Urologist, NISA Premier Hospital advised that prostate screenings are crucial to have for men who are 40 years and above, in order to detect any signs of prostate cancer early on.
He stressed the need for more cancer awareness among rural dwellers to reverse the ugly trend.
“We are here”, he said at the event, “to be able to create awareness to speak to people about cancer. Women are suffering from cancer, breast cancer, and all other types of cancer are highly affected when it comes to cancer”.
“We are to be able to bring out people, advise people, talk to people to come out and be able to get themselves tested.
Mr Labasu advised that “They should not just sit at home if they see a sign in their breasts or sign of bleeding, they should come out and get tested. This is why we are here.”
Also Speaking, National President, Soroptimist International Nigeria Association, Gloria Bai said cancer detection helps to reduce mortality. She equally stressed the need for early detection and treatment: “You should always examine yourself and when you notice any sign of breast cancer, you should see a doctor immediately.”
