BY VICTORIA OJEME
ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, ordered all federal hospitals nationwide to commence immediate reduction in the prices charged cancer patients during screening.

The government also disclosed that an estimated 100,000 new cancer cases were diagnosed annually, of which breast and cervical cancers, were common in women and prostrate and colon cancers in men.

He said annually, many of those who present late in the hospitals accounted for the high mortality.

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by the Director of Special Projects in the Ministry, Dr. Folake Ademola Majekodumi, stated this at the17th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Neurological Surgeons.

He said: “I find it most worrisome that our men folks find it difficult to spare time to go and screen for prostate cancer. The old adage that health is wealth is one that should be taken very seriously. There must be good health to be able to enjoy any financial wealth that is accrued.

In his speech at the event, President of NAUS, Prof. A.M.E. Nwofor said cancer of the prostate accounted for a great percentage of cancer-related death in the world.

He, however, called for public enlightenment on the disease to stem its tide of resurgence.

“We advocate the initiation of public enlightenment on prostate cancer and screening for early detection.

“ At least basic screening using digital rectal examination and RSA estimation is desirable and we think that we can partner with the government in this regard,” he added.