WORLD CANCER DAY: OGUN DEPUTY GOVERNOR CANVASSES REGULAR CHECK-UP

The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has called for concerted efforts to fight cancer scourge, urging both men and women to embrace regular examination for early detection.

Penpushing reports that, she made the call at the flag-off of the 2020 World Cancer Day with the theme, ” I am and I will’’, held at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta stressing that periodic examinations and early detection would help reduce the scourge.

“With regular examinations, a patient will survive cancer and live for many years afterwards and be cancer free, that is why early diagnosis of the disease is important “, she stated.

The Deupty Governor  identified three main deadly cancers to include; breast, cervical and prostate, saying it was important to do self-examination to identify any changes in the body and sought immediate treatment in case of any detection.

“It is important to know that Cancer is not a curse, or a sin, anybody could get it, whether you are prayerful or not, but early detection and getting it treated is the way out. His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun is very concerned and passionate about the welfare of the people of the State, that is why he has put in place an aggressive health agenda, right from primary health care to tertiary facilities, to ensure people have access to them”, she stated.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker,in her remarks  also urged the people to do regular self-examination and ensure the children were immunised to guide against cervical cancer, adding that free screening were available across the State for all to take advantage of.

Penpushing also reports that ,e earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro noted, that World Cancer Day is an international day set aside every February 4, to further raise cancer awareness and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

The representative of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Olufemi Odusote in his goodwill message ,said cancer was the second killer disease in the world, noting that with early detection, the scourge can be reduced.

Penpushing reports that, the guest lecturer and Consultant Oncologist, Federal Medical Centre Dr. Babatunde Alabi in his presentation said World Cancer Day was led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.

The guest lecturer shedding light on the scourge, noted that the day was being set aside to raise awareness globally, identify ways to combat it, as well as, highlighting the essence of screening as the best preventive measure.