The Ondo state government has revealed plans to give no fewer than 5,000 women in the State access to a free secondary prevention programme for cervical cancer in 2022.
This is according to Ondo State Commissioner for Health Dr Banji Ajaka during a public lecture held on Friday to commemorate the 2022 edition of the World Cancer Day in Akure.
Ajaka, represented by Dr Ayodele Adelusi, the Director, Hospital Services of the Ministry, noted that the programme, which the state government initiated in collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the World Health Organisation(WHO).
He stressed that because of the severe health challenge posed by cancer as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, Feb. 4 was set aside to raise awareness about prevention, detection and treatment of the deadly disease.
“Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020.
“Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multi-stage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour.
“These changes are the result of the interaction between a person’s genetic factors and external agents namely physical, chemical biological carcinogens.
“Tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, some untreated infections, exposure to ionizing radiations, physical inactivity and air pollution are risk factors for cancer,” Ajaka stated.
The commissioner said that the World Cancer Day was designed to inspire change and mobilise action long after the day itself, describing cancer as a preventable and curable disease if detected early and adequately treated.
He noted that the new cancer campaign is a 3-year campaign for impact tagged: “Close The Care Gap” which would translate to more exposure and engagement, more opportunities to build global awareness and create more results.
In his words, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, harped on the need for adequate sensitisation and counselling of cancer patients by all stakeholders.
Represented by his Special Assistant, Dr Dolani Gbelela, he urged individuals always to observe changes in their bodies to ensure early detection of cancer.
Mrs Folukemi Aladenoka, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, noted an urgent need to step up efforts geared towards reducing the disease burden.
Aladenola, represented by the Director of Finance and Administration in the Ministry, Mr Tayo Akeju, said mitigating the challenge posed by cancer equally required listening to the perspectives of people living with the disease and giving them proper medical treatment.
He urged individuals to go for regular screening towards ascertaining their status, stressing that it is an effective means of prevention and early detection of the disease.
In the lecture delivered by Dr Ndidi Okunnigba, the Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital(UNIMEDTH), Akure Complex, noted an urgent need to remove the barriers that existed in cancer care.
This, according to him, include financial challenge and inadequate information on the disease, among others.
Okunniga also called for more advocacy on the prevention, detection and management strategies for cancer.
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