The Chairman, Niger Delta Commission (NDDC), Mr Chiedu Ebie has identified Cancer as a monster disease that has claimed the lives of millions of persons the world over including women and children.
The NDDC boss, who said early screening and detection were vital to saving lives, was speaking while declaring open the 2024 World Cancer Day held at Ladyoak Cancer Care Center, Central Hospital, Agbor, Delta State, on Wednesday.
Mr Ebie, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr Godwin Edozie, said in Africa alone, the incidence of various types of Cancer is disheartening.
He pointed out that in 2020, more than a million new Cancer cases were recorded in Africa with about 700,000 deaths, while about 50 per cent of new Cancer cases in adults are due to breast, cervical, prostate, and liver cancer amongst others.
He, however, maintained that Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd. is focusing on breast and cervical cancer.
He further called for urgent measures to curb the cancer mortality in the region which was projected to reach about one million per year by 2030.
According to him, the figure shows the rising trends in breast and cervical cancer amongst women and the girl child.
Ebie also stressed the importance of early detection and intervention which, he said, was key to Cancer treatment and management.
A keynote speaker at event, Dr Roy Maduka explained that Cervical Cancer is predominant in less developed nations, urging women to shun smoking and alcohol intake.
The event, which was put together by the NDDC in collaboration with Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd, featured free breast and cervical cancer screening for the participants, who were mainly women.
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