The people of kwara will soon enjoy comprehensive cancer scree to ward offthe prevalence of Cancer in the state.
This was made known by the honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Abdulrazak when the Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN) paid him courtesy call in his office recently in preparation of World cancer day celebration.
Raji said that efforts were underway for women, youths, adults and the aged to undergo cancer screening in the state.
The commissioner explained that the mass screening would afford the state government the opportunity to discover the number of people with cancer and ensure necessary intervention as well as treatment using cryotherapy.
According to him, there was need for people to be sensitised on cancer in order to realise that there are environmental factors that predispose people to cancer.
Abdulrazak assured that the state government would cooperate with relevant agencies in promoting health care services in the state.
He described cancer as a global challenge, pointing out that Nigeria was not an exception.
The Commissioner emphasised the need for early detection and prevention through health education.
He warned that smoking is one of the causes of cancer, adding that it was a predisposing factor to tuberculosis.
Raji also shed some light that genetics also play a role in cancer through hereditary.
Earlier, Mr Banjo Famuyiwa, Coordinator of CiSCANEN, said the visit was part of the group’s activities to commemorate the World Cancer Day scheduled for February 4.
Famuyiwa explained the import of the international day set aside to create awareness on cancer and collaborate with necessary stakeholders to bring about change.
He added that though there were cases of cancer related deaths at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), “however, there are no data to give accurate number of death’’.
The coordinator decried poor level of awareness on cancer related issues and the cost of treatment.
He therefore urged the state government through the state ministry of health to assist his organization in creating better awarenesses on the scourge of cancer in the society.
