BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI — Nigerian Women and young girls have been advised to take advantage of the free cancer screening in some designated health establishments in the various geo-political zones of the country to check the spread of the disease.

A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist in the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Dr. Akuabia Nzeribe, made the appeal during yesterday’s distribution of cancer test kits to women in Owerri.

Vanguard recalls that the distribution of cancer test kits to women selected from the 27 local government areas of Imo State, was preceded by a lecture delivered by Dr. Nzeribe, which largely focused on the need for early detection of breast cancer.

Nzeribe lamented that “many deaths arising from breast cancer would have been carefully avoided, if there was early diagnosis of the condition.”
She identified “changes in genetics arising from age, frequent exposure to X-ray radiation on their chest, non-breastfeeding of their babies, excessive weight and alcohol, are some of the risk factors in breast cancer.”

While demonstrating how to effectively and efficiently use the test kits to detect lumps in the breast, which she said, was a possible cause of breast cancer, Dr. Nzeribe, however regretted that “no health establishment in Imo State could boast of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine used in detecting cancer.

“It is very important that we imbibe early detection strategies to do self breast examination and clinical examination. Women who are 40 and above should get mammogram as appropriate,” Dr. Nzeribe prescribed.
Addressing the women also, the wife of Imo State governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, urged them to utilise the test kits, which were provided by the Federal Government, to reduce the scourge of cancer.