No fewer than 100 people from the University of Ibadan community benefited from a free cervical cancer screening organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Dove-Haven Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the screening was part of the programmes to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the foundation on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The Executive Director DHF, Ekundayo Samuel, said the organisation aimed to promote the health and well-being of the citizens by reducing the cancer threat.
According to him, DHF has been working toward the reduction of cancer prevalence in Nigeria and beyond through cancer prevention, management, research and advocacy activities.
Samuel said the activities to mark the organisation’s 5th anniversary were designed to raise cancer awareness and education in society.
This, he said, would provide easy access to cancer screening, and diagnosis to reduce the burden of the disease that is on the increase in Nigeria.
“From research, there has been an increase in cancer burden in Oyo State. According to our survey, we have discovered that people in Ibadan, even though they have UCH and other clinics around, don’t maximise what they have.
“This has led to a lot of increase in cancer burden in Oyo State. So, we said we should come around to see how we can also support the government to reduce the cancer burden.
“This is also because cancer is also causing havoc globally and it is actually increasing daily,” Samuel said.
He said cervical cancer could be prevented, adding that girls between nine and 15 years could take Human Papillomavirus Vaccine to prevent it and for older people regular screening could help as a form of prevention.
“We are the government, and we have to work together individually and collectively to ensure we take care of our health. Also, the government should play its part and put in more effort. But people should take their health seriously,” Samuel said.
He identified race, sex, age, and genes as factors that could not be modified, adding that people could adjust food, habits and lifestyle to reduce their predisposition to cancer.
NAN
