Men Shun Free Cancer Screening In Abia

Men on Monday shunned a free Cancer Screening exercise organised by the state government. 

While the women turned out in their numbers to be part of the screening for detection of cancer diseases which was an integral part of a two-day cancer awareness campaign  and prevention, only few men showed up for screening.

The absence of many men left the team of medical experts brought in from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), of Nigeria Enugu, idle. To keep themselves busy, some members of the team abandoned their duty posts and chose to be part of the lectures inside the Michael Okpara Auditorium, venue of the programme.

Apparently unhappy over the situation, the wife of the governor, Chief (Mrs.) Mercy Orji, appealed to the men to show greater interest in the free screening exercise, saying it was aimed at saving lives and reducing the huge cost of cancer screening for individuals.

Addressing the participants while formally flagging off the campaign, Mrs Orji told the women to prevail on their husbands and brothers to take advantage of the opportunity to undergo free testing.

She pointed out that “Cancer is emerging as one of the most dreaded pandemics threatening the existence of the human race,” adding, “it is now graduating from a health issue to becoming a governance and development problem, especially, in view of its socio-economic and political impact.”

The Abia First Lady said cancer has caused much devastation to lives, culture and economy which informed why the state government embarked on the “massive campaign of stopping cancer before it stops us.” 

“In Nigeria, many gathers, mothers and children are suffering from one form of  cancer or the other. It is the love that this government has for Abians and the fulfillment of our campaign promises to Abia women and children that this programme is being formally flagged-off today,” she added.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Candi Ahuama, also agreed that cancer has become a disease burden, stressing that the world was now placing much emphasis on prevention which was why the state embarked on the campaign.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr Augustine Mbanaso, commended the wife of the Abia governor for carrying out the exercise, saying it would be a great relief to the populace.

A resource person, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye of the UNTH, Enugu, delivered lectures on how to detect cancer at its earliest stages. She said no woman should die of cancer if adequate awareness was created and enjoined both men and women to go for screening at least once in a year.