Fides Media Living the Faith
By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Library Board has taken cancer awareness campaign to the grassroots in commemoration of World Cancer Day, with the Ag Director, Mrs Obioma Obalum, stressing the need for regular medical examination and regular consumption of natural foods to prevent the spread of cancer.
She explained that the annual event was aimed at creating awareness about cancer, as well as educating the people on the best preventive measures to keep them safe from the deadly disease.
Mrs. Obalum stated this at a one-day event organized by the State Library, to mark the 2023 World Cancer Day held last weekend at Afọr Market in Ukwulu Community, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, amid a large turn-out of rural traders. The event also featured delivery of health talks on cancer and the World Cancer Day.
Dissecting the theme of the year’s event, “Closing the Care Gap”, the State Librarian also advised everyone to regularly care for cancer patients around them and to also assist in creating awareness and disseminating information about the disease in their various localities and households to help others avoid or minimize the risk factors, as well as enable them to know what to do when some strange symptoms appeared on their bodies.
Earlier in his lectures, the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Nonso Onu, of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), described cancer as an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells in the body, and revealed that anyone could suffer cancer, irrespective of gender, age, race or social status.
He also explained that cancer could occur on any part of the body, and further enumerated some of the risk factors that could expose one to cancer.
While highlighting the various types of cancer and their symptoms, Dr. Onu, a urologist, told the people to regularly examine their bodies and to promptly consult health officials for medical attention and advice anytime they observed any of the strange signs on their body, as, according to him, early detection of cancer and immediate action could help to achieve its treatment and also prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
In their separate contributions, some of the villagers and traders at the market, Mrs. Ijeoma Okafor, Mrs. Ngozi Uche, Mr. Ogani Sunday, and Mrs Uche Ezekiel, asked some relevant questions about cancer, while some others appreciated the organizers of the event, the State Library Board, for what they described as a wonderful opportunity; even as they promised to put what they learnt into practice, and to further share the message and the knowledge they garnered at the event with others.
Originated in 2000 at the first World Summit against Cancer held in Paris, the World Cancer Day is an international day marked annually to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.