Stand Up To Cancer Nigeria, a cancer advocacy NGO has called for regular screening for early detection and survival of cancer.
Mr Caleb Egwuenu, the Project Director of the NGO, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He decried the increasing rate of cancer-related deaths in recent times which would have been prevented through regular cancer screening.
“Regular cancer screening will help reduce cancer-related burdens and its consequent death rate in our society.
“If those who were diagnosed of cancer at a later stage had prior knowledge of the availability of cancer detection screening, they would have been able to access early treatment.
“Our belief, which is an element of this initiative, supports the knowledge that early detection is a great tool to fight and survive cancer,” he explained.
Egwuenu noted that many Nigerians believed there was no need for anyone to go for medical checkup when he or she is not ill, adding that this notion also affects their attitude towards cancer screening.
According to him, the NGO has intensified its cancer awareness campaign as it recently launched a bi-monthly health sensitisation programme tagged: “Eat and Screen”.
“It is geared towards promoting healthy eating and regular screening across genders in the society. We launched the maiden edition on Oct. 29 in the Federal Capital Territory and we hope to extend it to other parts of the country.
“About 60 participants, both men and women, went through free screening on breast cancer, blood pressure test, sugar level test and BMI,” he said.
He noted that those who went through the sensitisation and free screenings were now fully armed with knowledge on how they can manage their health and equally get better, even by healthy eating.
NAN reports that `Stand Up To Cancer Nigeria’ provides essential medical information for people affected by or concerned about cancer.
It also collaborates with relevant health organizations in providing free screening exercises across Nigeria.
Credit: pmsnews