The need for Nigerians to be aware of their family history and genetic composition to prevent contacting cancer has been harped upon.
This message was handed down on Wednesday at a sensitization programme organized by Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) for students of Seed of Life College, Ibadan, to commemorate this year’s World Cancer Day.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “We Can, I Can”, Founder of BRECAN, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu decried ignorance of women in carrying out breast self-examination for early detection and unhygienic eating habits.
Emphasizing that every Nigerian had a critical role to play in early detection and preventing the increasing incidences of cancer in the country, she noted that cancer should not be seen as a death sentence.
One of the resource persons, Mr Kingsley Ndoh warned of the risk factors that made Nigerians vulnerable to cancer to include, eating from plastics placed in microwave, smoking, exposure of skin to sun for a long time, sex with multiple partners and poor eating habits.
He urged Nigerians to eat a lot of vegetables, vitamins, eat right and be aware of their genetic composition.
Ndoh culled statistics of the World Health Organisation that Breast cancer was most rampant in Nigeria, followed by Cervical and Prostate cancer.
Noting that the causes of cancer were multi-factorial, another speaker, Mrs Bukola Adeyemi warned Nigerians against bleaching, smoking and consumption of alcohol.
She further urged Nigerians to take cognizance of their family history, so as not to fall victim of hereditary cancer.
Proprietor, Seed of Life College, Ibadan, Mrs Kikelomo Runsewe also called for focus on early detection of cancer and breast self-examination regularly.
The students were shown how to carry out breast self-examination and teach their mothers to do so, from time to time.
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