The David Omenukor Foundation has called for increased awareness, early detection, routine screening, and the reduction of stigma surrounding colorectal cancer, in a bid to reduce the growing burden of the disease in Nigeria.

The call was made during the Blue Hat Bow Tie Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign organised by the foundation in collaboration with the Nigerian Cancer Society (Imo State Chapter) and the Global Colon Cancer Association. The event brought together participants for screening exercises, health education sessions, and expert-led workshops aimed at tackling late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Speaking at the event, the Wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, emphasised the importance of early detection through screening and healthy lifestyles to reduce risk factors associated with diet, weight, and physical inactivity.

She urged the public to pay attention to symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained fatigue, advising that prompt medical attention should be sought when such signs are noticed.

Uzodimma commended the foundation’s intervention and reaffirmed her commitment to cancer advocacy through initiatives such as the Good Hope Women Flourish Initiative and First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), calling for sustained awareness to break the silence and stigma surrounding colorectal cancer.

A Consultant at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Dr Christopher Ekwunife, in his presentation titled Breaking the Silence on Colorectal Cancer, highlighted the growing concern of early-onset colorectal cancer in developing countries.

He stressed that timely screening remains the most effective preventive strategy, noting that deaths linked to colorectal cancer can be prevented if the disease is detected early. “At an early stage, it is easier to treat, less expensive, and has fewer long-term consequences. These are preventable deaths if detected early,” he said.

Other speakers, including Dr Ijeoma Dozie, spoke on Food as Medicine in Reducing Cancer Burden, while Prof. Evangeline Oparaocha discussed the importance of disease screening in Nigeria, addressing myths, realities, and the way forward.

The Imo State Chairman of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Dr Okechukwu Duru, underscored the need for grassroots engagement in cancer prevention and control. The Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Dr Victor Nwachukwu, pledged to disseminate knowledge from the workshop to students in tertiary institutions for wider societal benefit.

Earlier, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Dr Keyna Omenukor, stressed the need for individuals to take proactive steps towards their health by embracing regular screening and open discussions on colorectal cancer.

She noted that colorectal cancer is an increasing public health concern in Nigeria and is now among the most common cancers in the country.

According to her, thousands of new cases are recorded yearly, with many patients diagnosed under the age of 50, often at advanced stages.

Omenukor identified key risk factors, including low-fibre, high-fat diets, physical inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Medical risk factors, she said, include family history, genetic predisposition, and inflammatory bowel disease, while systemic challenges include poor awareness and lack of routine screening programmes.

“Mortality is high, largely due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to care. The burden is not just in the number of cases, but in the high death rate driven by late detection and weak health systems,” she said.

She added that major challenges include late presentation, financial constraints, weak healthcare infrastructure, and cultural beliefs and myths, including spiritual interpretations of the disease and fear of cancer as a death sentence.

Omenukor also noted a shortage of specialists in Nigeria, particularly gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, oncologists, oncology nurses, and diagnostic experts. She said the workshop aimed to educate the public and healthcare providers on symptoms, risk factors, and prevention, encourage early health-seeking behaviour, improve access to screening and referral systems, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to improve cancer outcomes.

She further recommended healthy lifestyles, regular screening, and sustained awareness and education as key strategies in the fight against colorectal cancer.