David Omenukor Foundation Screens Over 1,000 for Colorectal Cancer

In a significant drive towards early cancer detection, the David Omenukor Foundation has provided free colorectal cancer screenings to more than 1,000 individuals. The large-scale intervention was organised to mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2026.

The campaign, themed “Blue Hat & Bow Tie,” took place at the Golden Vista Hotel drawing participants from across the state for comprehensive screenings, health education sessions, and expert-led workshops designed to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses.

The First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency Barrister Chioma Uzodimma who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Vivian Egu, commended the Foundation’s proactive approach.

Speaking on the First Lady’s behalf, Dr Egu emphasised the vital importance of early detection and a healthy lifestyle. She urged the public to remain vigilant regarding symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained fatigue.

Dr Egu further reiterated the First Lady’s commitment to advocacy through the Good Hope Women Flourish Initiative and First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), calling for sustained efforts to dismantle the stigma surrounding colorectal cancer.

In an interview, Dr Christopher Ekwunife, a consultant at the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, highlighted the rising concern of early-onset colorectal cancer in developing nations. He noted that timely screening remains the most effective preventive strategy. “At an early stage, the disease is easier to treat, less expensive to manage, and carries fewer long-term consequences,” he stated. “These deaths are preventable if caught early.”

Earlier, the Foundation’s Founder and CEO, Dr Keyna Omenukor, stressed the urgent need for individuals to take responsibility for their health through regular screenings. Supporting this message, the Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, pledged to disseminate key health information across tertiary institutions, targeting young people as essential stakeholders in public health.

The initiative, held in collaboration with the Nigerian Cancer Society and the Global Colon Cancer Association, featured contributions from prominent experts including Dr Ijeoma Dozie and Prof. Rev. Sr. Evangeline Oparaocha. Dr Okechukwu Duru, the Imo State Chairman of the Nigerian Cancer Society, also underscored the necessity of grassroots engagement.

The programme concluded with a collective call to action, urging Nigerians to prioritise early detection. As the “Blue Hat & Bow Tie” campaign gains momentum, it remains a vital beacon of hope in the fight against colorectal cancer.