AS LEO CLUB DISTRICT 404A-2 PARTNERS WITH SMOH, MWAN AND CRSPHCDA TO CARRY OUT CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN CALABAR.
Leo Club District 404A-2 yesterday held cancer awareness campaign in partnership with state health ministry, medical women association and Primary Health Care Development Agency. The walk began at Mobil Filling station, Murtala Mohammed High way and ended at Watt Market Roundabout in company of the DG Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu and President Nigerian Medical Women Association CRS Chapter, Dr Ani Nchiewi who represented the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.
Speaking at the event, Dr Betta Edu said the essence of the walk is to create awareness for cancer and educate women on need for cancer screening. She assured the people that the state government under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade is collaborating with relevant stake holders to see that we can protect cross riverians from cancer. She noted that Nigeria has the highest cancer prevalence in Africa as such we must increase awareness to save people from dying. As Such early detection through screening is key. Asiukpo diagnostic and Medical centre is also supporting by reducing the cost of mammogram to enable more women above 40 to benefit.
Dr Edu told the crowd that smoking (actively or passively), excessive drinking of alcohol, having multiple sex partner, early sexual exposure etc can further predispose an individual to Cancer. She noted that Human papilloma virus is also implicated in Cancer of the Cervix in women. She advised that early detection by getting screened can avert Cancer.
Continuing, she informed the people that Cancer is curable if detected early. She said 5,000 women will be screen across the state for cervical cancer while calling all the women to take advantage of it. She lauded the effort of Leo Club while charging them to continue rendering humanitarian and volunteerism services to the society. Finally she said the 10 km walk was to ensure that everyone including those at grassroots become aware of cancer.
Earlier Speaking, Dr Inyang Asibong who spoke through the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria CRS Chapter, Dr Ani Nchiewi said human Papiloma Virus is the cause of Cervical Cancer in women. However, the Honourable Commissioner of health informed the people at the roundabout that the cause of Prostate Cancer in men is unknown.
“Prostate Cancer has no symptoms unless the growth presses on the Urethra’. She went further informed that getting regularly screened for cancer is one important step in prevention of the disease. She charges the women to respond to the screening that will begin very soon said Dr Asibong.
According to Leo Asuquo Boco, the President-elect of Leo District 404 A-2 Nigeria, the Cancer Awareness campaign was part of activities to mark his installation as president later that morning. While pouring encomium on the state government representated by commissioner of Health and DG primary healthcare development agency, promised to work with the health team to raise more awareness on cancer.
The work ended at Watt Market roundabout with sharing of flyers and personal counseling to members of the public by the state health team and representative of Medical women association.
