A non governmental organisation (NGO), Dove-Haven Foundation (DHF) on Tuesday organised an awareness and sensitisation campaign on the danger of Cancer and its prevention.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Dr Ekundayo Samuel, told newsmen at the venue of program in Isanlu that the foundation was sensitising the public on cancer, its dangers and the way out.
”We are working towards reducing cancer prevalence in Nigeria and beyond through cancer prevention, management, research and advocacy activities.
”Our programs are designed to raise cancer awareness and education in the society; to provide easy access to cancer screening, diagnosis, management; and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients,” he said.
He noted that the event started on Monday Feb. 3, with a 3-5 km awareness walk to sensitise the people.
The Director, said that the foundation would also trained 15 health workers on cancer screening in order to reach out to more people in the area.
He described the likely signs and symptoms of cancer to include: frequent tiredness and having lumps especially in the breast, high loss or increase in weight, coughing, consistent pain on the throat, passes out blood, among others.
The expert, however said that cancer was not a dead sentence hence if detected very early, it could be cured.
He advised every woman to do self breast examination every month, while men should be doing self test for cancer monthly as from the age of 40.
”Cancer is very expensive to treat because no single drugs can cure cancer hence prevention is better and cheaper than cure.
”Be physically active by engaging in exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday, don’t take sugary things, eat lots of fruits to improve your health.
”Don’t take too much of red meat especially at after age 40, avoid salty or fast foods, women should do exclusive breastfeeding at least for six months.
”As cancer patients, you must follow your doctors advise strictly. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,” Samuel stressed.
The world cancer day is marked globally every Feb. 4, to create awareness on the danger of cancer and its prevention.
This year’s theme is ”Cancer Burden Reduction; Screening as a Necessity”’
In his remarks, the Traditional Ruler, Moses Etombi, the Agbana of Isanlu and Chairman Yagba East Traditional Council, commended the NGO for the gesture, saying it was the first of its kind in the council.
”We are very privileged to have this NGO in our community to sensitise our people on the danger of cancer and its preventions.
”We believe when we are educated on cancer the menace and threat of cancer would be reduced drastically in our society; so, we appreciate the NGO”, the monarch said.
Also speaking, the Administrator of Yagba East LGA, Hon. Ijagbemi Asiru, said he was highly impressed with what the NGO had done by educating the people at the grassroots.
One of the volunteers, Dr Biola Adimula, the National President, Commonwealth Scholars & Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria (COSFAN), said there was the need to sensitise the whole world on cancer, while commending participants for the turnout.
Speakers delivered lectures on cancer sensitisation such as; the Role of Research, Screening and available option in Nigeria, and Complimentary role of Lifestyle Behavioral change.
Hundreds of students across various schools in Isanlu and its environ were participants at the event while they expressed their excitement on the sensitization campaign