Ex-university teacher cautions against prostrate cancer

FORMER Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Professor Peter Ebigbo has cautioned against prostate cancer, urging Nigeria men to engage in a healthy lifestyle, good eating habit, and regular exercise to avoid the dreaded disease.

Ebigbo, a Professor of Psychological Medicine (emeritus) in UNN. who spoke to journalists shortly after a road walk organised by “Pink Blue” a Non-Governmental Organisation, at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu at the weekend, said that with early detection, cancer can be removed through surgery or managed with a routine check for a very long time.

The former University teacher who is also the Chairman of the Board of the “Men on Blue Initiative”, further stated, “The intervention will use three core strategies, such as prostate cancer awareness, prostate cancer-free screenings and social media campaigns.

“The target is to provide free prostate screening for 2000 men, and thousands of people directly and indirectly with prostate health information in Nigeria, adding that the project was sponsored by ACT Foundation and supported by Access Bank Plc.

Earlier, the Executive Director of “Pink-Blue”, Runcie Chidebe, said that over 240 men in Enugu participated in the screening exercise, adding the road walk was done to create awareness about the prostate cancer.

Chidebe explained, “The 10-kilometre road walk tagged: “Men on Blue” which took off from Okpara Square en route Court Road and Eziilo Road and back to Okpara Square, featured distribution of prostate cancer awareness leaflets as well as free testing and counselling”

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He said that prostate cancer is the leading cancer killer in men especially those above 40 years, stressing that the death rate of prostate cancer is becoming alarming due to the negative attitude of most men concerning their health and lack of regular comprehensive health check-ups.

“Prostate cancer is the third leading cancer death in Nigeria and the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nigerian men.

However, very little or nothing is said about prostate cancer in Nigeria. Every October, organisations roll out their drums of awareness focused on breast cancer, however, prostate cancer is always missing, while several men die in silence and pain because their prostate cancer was discovered at late stages,’’ he said.

“Cancer, in general, is a devastating disease; it comes to everyone as a burden and pain. I appeal to all to encourage everyone to screen themselves. Early detection and treatment save lives”, he added.