By Stella Kabruk
Cancer
#Tracknigeria: A medical practitioner, Dr Nuhu Sule on Monday cautioned Nigerians on healthy eating habit to avoid cancer.
Sule made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna to mark this year’s “World Cancer Day”.
“You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices such as eating right, staying active, avoiding alcohol, drugs, tobacco, knowing your family history and protecting yourself especially if you are a company or industry worker.
“It is very important to go to the hospital once a year even if you are not sick. Screening can detect cancer in early stages, it allows the doctors to treat you fast.
He said the world cancer day was set aside to celebrate survivors, support all fighters and honour those who have died from cancer while praying for God to comfort their families.
“Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself, the people you love and for the world. It’s time to make a personal commitment.”
According to him, 2019 marks the launch of the 3-year ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign. I Am and I Will’.
“World Cancer Day is a campaign built to resonate, inspire change and mobilise action long after the day has passed.
“A multi-year campaign offers a chance to create long-lasting impact by increasing public-facing exposure and engagement, more opportunities to build global awareness and impact-driven action.”
He added that World Cancer Day targets misinformation, raises awareness, and reduces stigma.
Sule said being aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer as well as the risk factors are the first steps that leads to prevention.
He urged the government to deploy every approach to assist cancer patients, adding that the National Health Insurance Scheme should consider cancer care in its treatment.
Sule also urged multinational companies to rise up and get involved in managing cancer patients.
“We need to enlarge the existing components of cancer treatment both infrastructural and manpower, add new centres, as well as train and retrain health workers in cancer care,” he added.(NAN)
