Mrs. Priscilla Otti Highlights Importance of Early Detection in Tackling Cancer.

PRESS RELEASE

Mrs. Priscilla Otti Highlights Importance of Early Detection in Tackling Cancer.

The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has emphasized the critical role of early detection in reducing the prevalence of cancer in the state. Speaking at the 2024 Cancer Awareness Day, held on Tuesday in Umuahia, Mrs. Otti called for proactive measures in combating the disease.

The event, themed “The Changing Face of The Enemy: Reducing The Rising Prevalence of Cancer in Abia”, was organized by the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. It focused on raising awareness about breast, cervical, and other forms of cancer, while offering free screenings, counseling, and educational resources to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools to combat the disease.

Her Excellency highlighted staggering data from the World Health Organization (WHO), revealing that over 100,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Nigeria. She underscored early detection as the decisive factor in saving lives, encouraging women and men alike to prioritize routine cancer screenings.

“Awareness is key, but it must be complemented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and avoiding known risk factors,” she said. Mrs. Otti described the event as a rallying call for individuals, families, and communities to unite in the fight against cancer, envisioning a healthier, cancer-free future.

The event also featured key stakeholders, including the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, who stressed the urgency of collective action against cancer. He pointed out alarming statistics, including the prediction that cancer rates could grow by over 80% in the next 15 years.

Prof. Rosemary Ogu, President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), delivered a lecture, highlighting cervical cancer as one of the most preventable cancers. She advocated for the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the state’s immunization program by 2025 and called for regular cervical screenings and vaccinations as cost-effective measures to prevent cervical cancer.

Dr. Oluchi Izuka, a resource person, also addressed the global cancer crisis, emphasizing the prevalence of breast and cervical cancers in women and prostate and colon cancers in men.

Earlier, the State Director of Public Health, Dr. Princess Agomoh, encouraged Abians to adopt a culture of regular screenings, reiterating that “early detection saves lives.”

The event concluded with impactful activities, including a health walk, free cancer screenings, testimonials from survivors, and the presentation of N10 million by Mrs. Otti to support indigent cancer patients.

This program signifies Her Excellency’s unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes and creating a cancer-free future for Abia State.

Signed:
Ndubueze Justice
Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor of Abia State

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