As the prevalence of cancers, particularly breast cancers continued to rise, experts have stressed the need for Nigerians to engage more in exercise saying that regular exercise helps to ward off diseases including cancer.

File Photo: Breast examination

The experts who spoke in Lagos weekend at a 10- kilometre PowerWalk for Breast Cancer Awareness from Awolowo enroute Boudillon, Kingsway road, Ikoyi back to Awolowo lamented that most Nigerians are living sedimentary lifestyle today which may predispose them to non communicable diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

Addressing over 500 Nigerians from all walks of life who participated in the PowerWalk, the Chief Executive Officer of International Energy Services Limited, IESL, the organisers of the Walk, Dr. Diran Fawibe who lost four people to cancer this year, said by just walking individuals can keep fit.

“Walking does not put a lot of pressure on your joints or muscles like jogging and running. If only you can walk three times a week you will be fit and it can help you to put off all kinds of diseases that can afflict the body system.

“One of the things people can do for themselves is to engage in exercise. For cancers, if only you exercise you can term it.”

Fawibe explained that the walk was to raise alarm on breast cancer as well as promote early screening among the people.   “We are screening not less than 200 people for breast cancer and anyone identified to have the symptoms will be supported in terms of treatment.”

Executive Director, COPE, an NGO alleviating the mortality rate of breast cancer in Nigeria, Dr. Ebunola Anozie, said sedentary lifestyle is becoming a norm in the society and there is need for people to fight this because it plays a very huge role in warding off cancer.

She blamed the continued increase in breast cancers on ignorance and a lot of taboos people believed in.   Anozie who commended International Energy Services Limited, IESL, for organising the walk said COPE organises free ultrasound screening every third Saturday of the month to ensure many Nigerian women get screened for breast cancer.

Noting that one in every 11 will suffer breast cancer in their life time, she regretted that Nigeria has no functional cancer registry, adding that early detection will not only save a life but save the breast. To prevent breast cancer, she urged Nigerians to always cook their foods fresh and do not store in the refrigerators.