4th February every year is World Cancer Day. A day set aside to raise awareness on the prevention and treatment of Cancer across the world. The most common type of cancer are Prostrate, Liver, Colon for men. Breast and Cervical for Women.
The World Health Organisation ,WHO estimate that there are over 8.2 million cancer patient in the world. Sub-Sahara Africa is more affected by the disease. Nigeria alone is said to record about 127,763 new cases and about 79,542 death in 2022 alone. The theme for this year is “UNITE by UNIQUE”.
A non-governmental health and Psychological Trust Centre, Project PinkBlue held it’s 10th Annual Cancer Walk in Abuja to raise awareness and advocate for adequate funding for cancer treatment and cure.
Many cancer related groups,sponsors and others who participated in the walk and subsequent free cancer and general health screening exercise among which are medical volunteer such as Ministry of Health, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment,NICRT, Cancer Health Fund,CHF, Fct Primary Healthcare Services,MedicAid Network of People impacted by Cancer among others.
In a Press Release earlier, Mr Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Executive Director,Project PinkBlue called on the Federal and State government including all Private Sector to invest adequately in advance Cancer treatment Technology,medical diagnostic equipment, precisiont medicine & targett therapy instead of just building hospitals without the right equipment and trained medical personnel.
Gloria C Okwu, a breast cancer survivor who also serves as the project PinkBlue programme Coordinator said 10 years of hosting the World Cancer Day Walk since 2015 has been about mobilizing various groups and individuals to raise awareness and advocate for personalized and better cancer care in Nigeria.
She said 20,000 Nigerian have participated in the walk while 5000 free cancer screening has been carried out and 500 Cancer patients on treatment have also been supported. She called on the National Cancer Fund, NCF which is domicile under the Federal Ministry of Health to give more financial support to all form of cancer patient across Nigeria as the fund currently supports only Prostrate,Breast and Cervical Cancer treatment.
The release said that Cancer in now a critical public health problem in Nigeria with over 127,763 new cases diagnosed annually and 78,542 death recorded in 2022 alone. The theme for this year will run for the next three years.
Medical Experts say that part of the preventive measures is to eat healthy, regular exercise, quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake.
further advice is to visit the hospital early once sick because early diagnosis is key in the treatment of the disease.
Halima Jubril
halima_jubril@yahoo.com