BY CHIOMA OBINNA

AS part of the efforts to scale up public awareness about cancer prevention, the National Cancer Prevention Programme, in collaboration with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has inaugurated a special media advocacy group known as the Coalition of Journalists Against Cancer (CoJaC).

The media body is expected in line with the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day which states that “Cancer Can Be Prevented” to propagate the message that cancer can be prevented and teated if detected early.

Speaking at the inauguration of the body in Lagos, NGE President, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye stressed the need for journalists, particularly, members of CoJaC to educate the public on the essentials of cancer prevention and treatment if detected early.

Adefaye who was optimistic that more lives could be saved from cancer related deaths argued that if Nigerian journalists were able to create better awareness on HIV& AIDS and malaria, the fight against cancer could also be won through massive awareness creation.

He said: “I do hope we can draw more attention to cancer as HIV & AIDS, malaria amongst others. It is something to work together and save a few more lives.”

He hinted that NGE would support the NCCP by encouraging journalists to bring issues concerning cancer onto the front burner.

National Coordinator, NCCP, Rev. Dr.Kin Egwuonwu said CoJac is to foster awareness on cancer prevention as a major strategy to fighting cancer in Nigeria. Egwuonu who noted that 15 million have cancers across the world lamented that Nigeria who is the largest exporter of cancer have no facilities to treat cancer.

Citing examples he said India has 20 national cancer institutes and 60 per cent of the patients are treated free of charge. Uufortunately Nigeria has no such provisions for cancer patients.

Chairman of NCCP, Mrs. Adetutu Adeleke said with increased awareness campaign, cancer incidences can be reduced by half in the country.

Quoting a WHO report, Adeleke said one – third of all cancers can be prevented, another one third can be cured if found early whilst the last third of the cases can benefit from improved quality of life through palliative care. She further explained that NCCP provides clear, user-friendly advice on what people can do for themselves to reduce the risk of cancer.

She counseled on adoption of a healthy lifestyle and further advised Nigerians to participate in public health programmes that could prevent cancers developing or help cancers to be detected. “Women from 18 years should participate in cervical cancer screening, do breast examination, those above 40 should participate in mammography screening, men and women from 50 years of age should participate in colorectal screening, vaccination programmes against hepatitis B virus infection, and vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus infection”

The NGE-NCC-NCCP partnership is a fund- rasing collaboration to enable NCCP establish at least one basic advocacy, screening & information centre for cancer control in each of the 774 local government areas, equip one of such centres with at least N6.5 million and all the 774 centres would cost N6 billion.

The Director of Media, NCC, Mr. Reuben Mourka, pledged the commitment of NCC to realising the objectives of the partnership. He said ignorance has prevented people from necessary information that would help them survive cancer.

Chairman of NCCP, Mrs. Adetutu Adeleke said with increased awareness campaign, cancer incidences can be reduced by half in the country.

Quoting a WHO report, Adeleke said one – third of all cancers can be prevented, another one third can be cured if found early whilst the last third of the cases can benefit from improved quality of life through palliative care. She further explained that NCCP provides clear, user-friendly advice on what people can do for themselves to reduce the risk of cancer.

She counseled on adoption of a healthy lifestyle and further advised Nigerians to participate in public health programmes that could prevent cancers developing or help cancers to be detected. “Women from 18 years should participate in cervical cancer screening, do breast examination, those above 40 should participate in mammography screening, men and women from 50 years of age should participate in colorectal screening, vaccination programmes against hepatitis B virus infection, and vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus infection”

The NGE-NCC-NCCP partnership is a fund- rasing collaboration to enable NCCP establish at least one basic advocacy, screening & information centre for cancer control in each of the 774 local government areas, equip one of such centres with at least N6.5 million and all the 774 centres would cost N6 billion.

The Director of Media, NCC, Mr. Reuben Mourka, pledged the commitment of NCC to realising the objectives of the partnership. He said ignorance has prevented people from necessary information that would help them survive cancer.