The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, disclosed this, yesterday, in Ado- Ekiti, during the 10th remembrance anniversary of former deputy governor tagged: “Moremi Ekiti lives on.”
Dr. Oyebanji described cancer as a devastating illness that has affected the lives of many people, adding that “to reduce its prevalence, there was need for every stakeholder to raise awareness about its causes, symptoms, and treatment.”
The governor’s wife allayed the fear of women, declaring that “cancer is not a death sentence as early detection remained the key to successful treatment.
Dr. Oyebanji, who paid glowing tribute to the late Olayinka, urged everyone to prioritise regular medical test regardless of their age or health status, saying that “there are survivors who have overcome the killer disease and now living healthy lifestyle.”
“We understand that many people are afraid of getting tested for cancer, but we want to assure you that early detection is the key to successful treatment.
“It can help identify cancer at early stage when it is easier to treat. Therefore, we hope that this event will not only raise awareness about cancer but also inspire people to take action and get tested” she added.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Fillani Oyebanji, expressed regret that the prevalence of the disease was on the increase, while a lot was still needed to be done by government and people in respect of advocacy, mobilisation and prevention.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, appreciated government for its intervention towards free screening of patients in Aduni Olayinka Wellness Centre.
In his lecture, Dr Olusola Aduloju, told the people that cervical and breast cancer, which are commonly diagnosed usually occur as a result of late child birth, genetic record, smoking, alcoholism, multiple sex partners among others.
He, however, recommended regular check of the breast, pointing out that cancer and diagnostic centre in the state teaching hospital is well-equipped to take care of different categories of those battling with the disease.
