10,000 Get Free Cancer Screening In Edo

The National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP) last Monday launched free cancer screening for 10,000 persons in Benin.

The screening was organised with the support of Senator Daisy Danjuma, Executive Vice-Chairman, South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO).

The programme, expected to end on Sunday February 10 is to mark the opening of the NCPP Benin Cancer Centre.

She said that 100 per cent treatment of cancer was possible when it was detected early.

Represented by Mrs Mabel Obanor, Chief Clinical Teacher, University of Benin, Danjuma urged women to examine their breasts everyday to check for lumps.

Meanwhile, the NCPP Lagos Coordinator, Dr Abia Nzelu, said that cancer was a silent killer and more deadly than HIV and AIDS.

“Cervical cancer kills one Nigerian woman every hour, breast cancer kills over 10,000 Nigerians every year, while prostate cancer kills 14 Nigerian men everyday. “Cancer is not restricted to women alone, it also affects men. It affects the young, old, rich and poor,” she said.

She identified family history, overweight, stress and consumption of fatty foods and red meat as risk factors of cancer.

She said that cancer could be prevented by exclusive breast feeding for the first six months of a baby, eating fruits and vegetables and lifestyle modification.