Akeredolu, NGO task lawmakers on cancer treatment

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Coalition Against Cancer, has charged lawmakers across the country to approve proposals on steps to reduce the prevalence of cancer in the country.

Apart from this,  the group also tasked the National Assembly to formulate laws that would give attention to cancer diagnosis, its treatment and awareness in the country.

The Coalition Against Cancer stated this in Thursday during a press conference to herald World Cancer Day coming up on February 4, 2020, saying this legislation will help in no measure to check the mortality rate of cancer patients.

The group comprising eleven different organisations frowned over the mortality rate of cancer and specifically expressed disappointment over the attitude of public office holders and government officials in handling cancer issues.

Speaking,  wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, called on religious and community leaders to assist in the area of awareness, noting that religious leaders usually embark on spiritual solutions rather than refer their church members to the appropriate quarters.

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She, however, called on women and men to always do self-breast check every morning and go to the hospital for Clinical Breast Check (CBE) if they discover anything strange about their breast.

Mrs Akeredolu, who has been a survivor of cancer for 23 years, stressed the need for individuals, corporate bodies and government at all levels to contribute towards the reduction of cancer in the country.

Mrs Akeredolu, founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), disclosed that efforts are ongoing to ensure enabling policies are put in place to check cancer patient mortality rate through the establishment of screening centres across the 18 local government areas of the state.

She, however, vowed that the coalition would keep pushing on, saying; “we will not quit until cancer case fatality drops to zero”.

The chairman of the Coalition, Dr Katong Abba, said cancer is the second-highest killer disease in the world, saying; “this is one of the reasons all the groups come together under one umbrella and formed a coalition to fight cancer”.

He expressed optimism that the concerted efforts of all the groups would make a tremendous impact in fighting cancer in the state.