Cancer has been described as a silent threat to human existence, underscoring the urgent need for parents to join campaigns against it.
The Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonna Uche, made this call during the 2024 Cancer Awareness Day celebration in Umuahia. The event featured activities such as a health walk from Government House to the new JAAC Building, health talks, free cancer screenings, and more, with the theme “The Changing Face of the Enemy: Reducing the Rising Prevalence of Cancer in Abia State.”
Prof. Uche emphasized the importance of preventive measures, urging parents to ensure that their daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and female relatives aged 15–49 undergo regular screenings and receive the HPV vaccination, which he described as a reliable way to reduce the risk of various forms of cancer.
He highlighted the alarming global statistics on cancer, noting that an estimated 185 people out of every 1,000 develop cancer in their lifetime. He stressed the need for policies, awareness, and strategies to curb the future rise of this life-threatening disease.
According to Prof. Uche, one out of eight men and one out of eleven women dies of cancer globally. In 2020 alone, there were over 30 million reported cancer cases and 10 million deaths worldwide. He expressed concern about the growing cancer burden in Nigeria, revealing that in 2020, the country recorded over 120,000 diagnosed cases and 78,000 deaths, with more than 70,000 of these being cancer-related.
Prof. Uche shared his personal grief over losing relatives to cancer and assured that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with stakeholders, would intensify efforts to reduce the prevalence of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers in the state. He also commended the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilia C. Otti, for her commitment to raising awareness and pledged unwavering support for her initiatives.
In their lectures, Dr. Oluchi Izuka and Prof. Rosemary Ogu advised residents to adopt healthy lifestyles by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding highly processed foods. They reiterated that early detection and prevention are the most effective strategies to combat cancer, noting that if detected early, at least 50% of cases can achieve successful treatment.
A cancer survivor, Mrs. Ruth Okeyi from Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa, shared her inspirational story of overcoming the disease through six rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a commitment to natural foods, including vegetables and herbs.
Meanwhile, 50 participants received free mammograms courtesy of the office of the First Lady, who also presented a ₦10 million donation to identified patients to support Governor Alex Otti’s health sector initiatives.
