As the world celebrates Cancer Day, the federal government has disclosed that there are plans to begin a nationwide screening for most common types of cancers.
The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, made this known on Sunday.
According to a statement made available by the Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs Boade Akinola, on Sunday in Abuja, Adewole who spoke on the occasion of the 2018 World Cancer Day, said individuals had roles to play to check the ailment.
The occasion was tagged: “We can, I can.”
The minister explained that the screening would target breast and cervical in women and prostate cancer among men, being most common.
Stressing the need for all to join hands in the fight against cancer, Adewole stated that this year’s theme was directed at making people live a healthy lifestyle.
Individuals should engage in weekly physical activities for at least two and half hours for adult, and an hour for children, he said.
He warned that as a way of fighting cancer, people should avoid tobacco smoking.
He said they should eat healthy foods as well.
NAN reports that Adewole also emphasised that high index of suspicion for early symptoms and signs of cancer were important, because finding cancer early makes it easier to treat and cure.
The minister appealed to communities to dispel myths and misconceptions that led to stigma and discrimination against people living with the disease.
Adewole said that the commissioning of a new radiotherapy machine at National Hospital Abuja, recently, would provide easy access to radiation treatment for Nigerians.
He added that additional new machine was donated by SHELL Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) and would be in operation at National Hospital Abuja, in the next few months.
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He added that the facility at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) would be offering full and uninterrupted services from June 2018.
“In spite of the numerous interventions by the government and other partners, some factors are militating against efforts to effectively combat the scourge of cancer in Nigeria.
“The key barriers to treatment of cancer in Nigeria, are: poor awareness, poor health seeking behaviour, low level of non-governmental investments, low number of skilled health care personnel, funding gaps, amongst others,’’ Adewole said.
Adewole said that government was committed to the development of the Public Private Partnership strategies to address the funding gaps and manpower shortages to surmount these barriers.
