By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
In a bid to create awareness among youngsters on cancer prevention and control in Kogi State, a Non-Governmental, Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria, (CISCANEN), Kogi State Chapter, has 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.
Kogi State co-ordinator of CISCANEN, Mr. Ben Joshua, who addressed the students on Tuesday, at the school assembly ground, advised the students to take an active interest in Cancer awareness creation through the cancer sensitization activities of CISCANEN in schools in order to reduce the prevalence rate of cancer infection in the state.
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 causes of cancer and about 10 million deaths from cancer ailments.
Joshua said the aim of the awareness campaign was 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.
“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.
“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.”
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 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.
The Zonal Coordinator 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 CISCANEN national secretariat, 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.
