The Chairman of the Niger Delta Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, has identified cancer as a monster disease that has claimed the lives of millions of people in the world, including women and children, stressing that early screening and detection are vital to saving lives.
The NDDC boss spoke while declaring open the 2024 World Cancer Day held at Ladyoak Cancer Care Centre, Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State yesterday.
Ebie, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr. Godwin Edozie, said in Africa alone, the incidence of various types of Cancer is disheartening, pointing out that in the year 2020 more than million new Cancer cases were recorded in Africa with about 700,000 while about 50 per cent of new Cancer cases in adults are due to Breast , Cervical, Prostrate and Liver Cancer amongst others.
He maintained that the Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd, is focusing on the Breast and Cervical Cancer.
He further called for urgent measures to curb the cancer mortality in the region which was projected to reach about one million per year by 2030.
According to Ebie, the figure shows the rising trends in breast and cervical cancer amongst women and the girl child.
The NDDC boss also stressed the importance of the early detection and intervention which he said is key to cancer treatment and management.
A keynote speaker at event, Dr. Roy Maduka explained that cervical cancer is predominant in the less developed nations, urging women to shun smoking and alcohol intake.
The event which was put together by the NDDC in collaboration with the Gilbert Hill Resources Limited, featured free breast and cervical cancer screening for the participants, who were majorly women.
