Early screening, detection key to cancer treatment

NIGERIANS have been advised to go for cancer screening, informing them that early detection is the best option to treatment of the dreaded disease.  

   This call was made by the Chief Executive Officer, Optimal Cancer Foundation, Dr. Femi Olaleye at a seminar organized by Sunshine Foundation in collaboration with Committee of Concerned Women, held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos,  Akoka Lagos. 

   Speaking at the seminar tagged: “Lifestyle that prevents Cancer”, Olaleye noted that cancer disease, with the prominent ones being Breast, Cervix in women and Prostate cancers in Men is fast ravaging the society in spite of huge financial resources invested to eradicate the scourge. 

   He stated that cancer is the most silent and deadly killer of all times. It has caused financial losses, pains and untimely deaths to families.

   The event which was well attended by the members of the Public, including elderly men and women saw the medical team from Shell Nigeria conduct free medical test for everyone at the event.  The free medical tests included blood test, sugar level, Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV /AIDS) Urine test and Hypertension test among others. 

   The Medical Doctor maintained that early detection is the best remedy to cancer treatment while Vaccination is very important to healthy living. 

   According to him, when the tumor is not detected early enough, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, one of the places it may spread to other to the lymph nodes in armpit. 

   Olaleye pointed out among the signs of advanced breast cancer are bones ache, weakness or pains, lungs –chest discomfort, shortness of breath or cough, ovaries-bloating pains or vaginal bleeding, liver, stomach and brain problems- memory.

   He outlined the treatment options to include Surgery, radiation, Chemotherapy and Hormone treatment, elaborating more on the use of self-examination for women with the men doing PSA screening once they attain the age of 35yrs and above.

   The Founder, Sunshine Foundation and Organizer of the event, Barrister Rose Odiete gave a comprehensive speech on the various cancer cases the foundation has been able to resolve disclosing that the foundation is driven by escalation of the disease in recent times. 

   Executive Officer, Shell Medical Laboratory, Mr. Enobong Amiang   in his speech, emphasized the need of Healthy habits and regular check -up of the body system. 

   He gave instances of Life- style habits that need to be curbed which includes drinking and smoking, stating that it reduces the life span.