Cancer is the biggest killer in the world, accounting for more deaths than malaria, HIV/AIDS, heart diseases and tuberculosis combined. It is increasingly becoming a menace and assuming alarming proportion of deaths in Nigeria due to adoptions of western lifestyle – changing dietary habit from the traditional fibre rich diet, lack of exercise, consumption of processed food products and the culture of secrecy of the cause of death, including late reportage of symptoms to the hospitals.

Awareness of our modified lifestyle, what carcinogens are, minimisation of consumption of processed foods, importance of regular exercise and regular health check-up will go a long way to prevent the onset of cancer. General prevention of at least three hours a week exercise which is said to reduce the risk by 30 percent should be adopted by all, but more importantly, the over 40s. Below are other preventative measures:

Primary prevention – this is the first stage of cancer prevention involving the reduction and elimination of factors that can trigger mutation of cells, including relevant vaccination and tobacco control

Secondary prevention – this relates to screening and early detection/diagnosis, i.e mammography, Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT), colonoscopy and smear test.

Tertiary prevention – this involves prompt diagnosis and treatment including effective therapy, symptoms management, avoidance of use of oral contraceptives and HRT.

Dr Amugo added that, “It is hard to fathom why the government allow foods marked `for export only` to be imported into the country. Common sense tells you that such food products are obviously not conducive for consumption by their own people, and yet we deem it suitable for our citizens. “To that end, the Federal government need to formulate a government policy that will prevent such foods to be imported into our country.”

Change of Lifestyle
Adoption of western lifestyles and technology can be argued to be most important culprits in the recent upsurge in cancer cases in Nigeria. Packaging our food products in hazardous synthetic materials made of carcinogenic compounds that melt in medium to high temperature has been another major factor. Our dependency on mobile handsets, laptops and other communication gadgets with the accompanying constant exposure to radiation is yet another factor.

Way forward
“The government need to invest vigorously in manpower and deter the culture of brain drain, where we export proficient doctors to other countries who benefit from their skills and expertise” “Effective diagnosis through the provision of modern mgedical equipments is also essential for a swift intervention. Erratic power supply is another hindrance to the utilisation of the few existing equipments for diagnosis and treatment. Good and consistent awareness program or campaign will surely go a long way too,” concluded Dr Amugo.

Read more: https://www.naij.com/946004-upsurge-burden-cancer-nigeria.html

Great post. Educative.

So all Africans who's getting addicted to Western processed foods, carry on. God will see you through.