School harps on need to prevent cancer in Nigeria
The Centagon International School Abuja, has harped on the need for people to be wary of cancer disease and prevent its spread among women, men and children in the society.
The school, which held a ‘Walk for Cancer’ awareness campaign on Thursday as part of its programme and support in the fight against the dreaded disease, described cancer as one of the deadliest diseases in the world.
School Nurse of The Centagon, Ms Nnenna Constance, said that statistics in Nigeria show that every day, 250 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer.
She said: “It is one of the highest incidence in the world. So, we have decided to raise this awareness so that people can know that even though it kills, it’s also preventable. If we do the right thing, eat right, do regular exercise and regular checkup.”
According to her, by this walk awareness, people will remember to also engage in exercise and also go for check-up and eat right.
The school has been carrying out enlightenment campaigns for long now through various media like the school newsletter and press conference. We also conduct person-to-person awareness campaign with various group of students.
A medical doctor and a parent in The Centago, Samuel Usman, commended the school management for organising the campaign.
Dr Usman said that the essence of the Cancer Walk was to raise awareness about the need for people to prevent cancer, and knowing that it is a deadly disease that causes a lot of deaths.
“You can be walking around thinking you have no cancer. Unfortunately, cancer can develop into advance stage without people knowing. We are raising awareness for women and mother to go for vaccination of herpes virus which is still new.”
Dr. Usman maintained that that cancer knows no race, no religion, social status nor one’s economic situation.
He observed that many Nigerians have died of cancer such as Mariam Babangida, Dora Akunyiki, Gani Fawehimi among others.
However, cancer is very preventable. For instance, Cancer of the cervix which is the leading cause death in women is caused by herpes virus.
he warned that women are also at risk of cancer of the breast saying “that is why doctors like me advised them to visit gynecologist for regular breasts checkup. Individuals can also check themselves up at home if they notice any lumps, they can quickly visit a gynecologist.
It is also worth noting that cancer is associated with lifestyle such as smoking and sedentary lifestyle, which is not good and one can become obese.”
Dr Usman also warned that excessive intake of achohol is not good as it causes liver cancer while smoking causes lung cancer.
the medical doctor therefore, called on the government to provide diagnostic facilities across the country and ensure that those facilities are properly established.
“The ministries of health, education and the media can collaborate to create adequate awareness on the danger and prevention of this dreaded disease.
Also, government should set up health insurance scheme to cater for people especially low income earners in the society. Government should find a way to capture non-workers in the national health insurance scheme,”. he added.
Glennys Achonu, a Grade 11 student who expressed happiness during the excersise, said that the objective is to create awareness on the danger and consequences of cancer for people to know about it today.
“I have learnt that cancer is a deadly disease and it comes in various forms. it cannot be cured but can be prevented,” she said.
Another student, Nazir Yugudu said he lost one of his cousins to cancer adding it is very sad and deadly. We must find a way to stop it.”
