A Consultant Oncologist, Dr Ajibike Orekoya, has advised Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of having cancer.
Orekoya, the Head of Oncology Unit at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, gave the advice at a programme organised by the hospital to commemorate the 2025 World Cancer Day.
The World Cancer Day is observed every Feb. 4 globally, to create awareness about the disease.
The theme for 2025 is “United by Unique”.
According to her, breast and prostate cancers are the most common among women and men in the country, hence the need for regular checkup to ensure early detection.
The oncologist noted that women who started menstruation earlier were at s risk of having cancer, while women with family history were also at risk.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and leading cause of cancer deaths among women in low and middle-income countries.
“The World Cancer Day has been set aside globally to create awareness about different things concerning cancer care.
” The most common cancers in Nigeria among women and men are breast and prostate cancer.
”Breast cancer doesn’t have a known cause but there are different things that may increase the risk of a person having it.
“Women who started menstruation earlier are also at risk of having breast cancer.
“Another risk factor is unhealthy lfestyles, so, there is the need for Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating more vegetables and fruit, exercising , quiting smoking, reduction in oil intake and other,” he said.
Orekoya, however, urged the Federal Government to increase the number of cancer centres in the country to give patients more access to treatment
“The government, on their part, are trying but there’s still more that they can do.
“The government, they have subsidised the treatment for cancer patients and we all know that cancer treatment is quite expensive.
“Patients who are under the health insurance, part of their treatment is covered:
:there’s also another programme where drugs that patients received are provided to them at a subsidised rate,” he said.
Orekoya urged the government to do more by increasing the number of cancer centres in the country and ensure access to timely treatment
” Luckily for us here, the Federal Government is building a comprehensive cancer centre where patients will be able to have regenerative treatment, hopefully at a subsidise rate.
· How does cancer start?
Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer is caused by changes to DNA. Most cancer-causing DNA changes occur in sections of DNA called genes. These changes are also called genetic changes.
· What are the causes of cancer?
Certain lifestyle choices are known to increase your risk of cancer. Smoking, drinking more than one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men, excessive exposure to the sun or frequent blistering sunburns, being obese, and having unsafe sex can contribute to cancer.
· Can sugar cause cancer?
Sugar is not a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance. However, over-consumption of sugar, particularly added sugars in processed beverages and foods, can contribute to obesity which is an important risk factor for cancer. There is no evidence that consuming sugar makes cancer cells grow faster or cause cancer.
· At what age does cancer occur?
Anyone can get cancer, but cancer at a young age is rare. Most cases of cancer are in people aged 50 and over. The graph below shows that cancer cases rise with age, rising more steeply from around age 50-60. A third of all UK cancer cases are in people aged 75 and over.
· How do you know you have cancer?
Sometimes symptoms affect specific areas of the body, such as our tummy or skin. But signs can also be more general, and include weight loss, tiredness (fatigue) or unexplained pain. Some possible signs of cancer, like a lump, are better known than others.
· How can I avoid cancer?
Live smoke-free. The single most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of cancer is to live smoke-free. Be sun safe. Enjoy the sun safely – protect your skin and protect your eyes. Have a healthy body weight. Eat well. Move more, sit less. Limit alcohol.
· What to drink to avoid cancer?
Green tea. Green tea contains key plant chemicals known as catechins, a type of antioxidant. Catechins have been shown in lab studies to slow down or prevent the growth of cancer cells and stop tumors from spreading in body systems. Other enzymes activated in the body by green tea protect against tumor development.
