Residents of Ogun State have been urged to take advantage of the free screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer being offered by the State Government, to mark the 2020 World Cancer Day.
The State Deputy Governor, Engr (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, gave the charge while flagging off the programme held on Tuesday, at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
Salako-Oyedele noted that many people died of cancer disease, due to lack of adequate awareness about the disease.
She commended the World Health Organisation (WHO) for setting aside a Day to create global awareness that cancer is “not a mystery.”
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Salako-Oyedele said the exercise would be carried out at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu and State Hospital, Ota, on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
The deputy governor advocated for regular medical check to reduce the scourge of the disease, submitting that early detection of cancer would save more lives.
“The whole essence of the Day is to create awareness on how to reduce the incidence and progress of cancer in our communities. It is a fact that early diagnosis of cancer will make many people to live and not die untimely.
” Asides, breast, cervical and prostate cancer, there many other types of cancer. The disease is no respecter of anyone. It is not a curse. It is not a myth. Cancer is real. Go to healthcare providers when you notice any changes in your body because early detection saves many lives,” she added.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, explained that 1out of 4 people ended up been diagnosis of cancer in a lifetime
She urged people to always make themselves available for regular screening to make the state free of cancer.
Coker said, “It is extremely important to create awareness and each and every one of us have a responsibility to make a difference no matter how little about the scourge.
“54 per cent of cancers are caused by breast, cervical and prostate cancer. 115,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually, 70,000 dying every year and 200,000 living with cancer.”
The commissioner said the state government was concerned and passionate about the well being of the citizenry, hence the provision of the free screening exercise.
In his lecture, the Consultant, Oncology, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Dr Babatunde Alabi, advised people to always carried out self-examination on their body.
He equally appreciated the Ogun State Government for organising the free cancer screening for the benefits of the people.
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