The Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria, (CISCANEN), Kogi State Chapter, has an enlightenment session with the students of Muslim Community Secondary school, Lokongoma, Lokoja, North Central Nigeria, in a bid to create awareness among youngsters on Cancer prevention and control.
Kogi State co-ordinator of CISCANEN, Mr Ben Joshua, who addressed the students at the school assembly ground, advised them to take an active interest in Cancer awareness creation through the sensitization activities of CISCANEN in schools, to reduce the prevalence rate.
Joshua said; “Cancer is a deadly disease that kills more than HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
“It 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 cases of cancer and about 10 million deaths from cancer ailments.
Joshua said the awareness campaign aimed 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 through 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 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, If you experience any of these signs, please report to your doctor,” he said.
The team leader also urged the students to avoid unhealthy food habits that could cause obesity and others such as smoking cigarettes, excessive use of alcohol, exposure to solar radiation, as well as family history & genetics.
Joshua advised the students to always keep a healthy weight and engage in regular physical exercises.
“Choose not to drink alcohol and eat fruit on an empty stomach always in addition to Consulting your doctor before taking birth control pills,” he said.
The Zonal Co-ordinator 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 Elijah and a famous philanthropist in Kogi State, Dr Femi Akande, as well as the Principal of Muslim Community Secondary School, Lokoja, Abdullahi Mohammed for their relentless interest and consistent support to the Cancer prevention campaign in the state.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
