LAPO raises alarm over increasing cases of cancer, screens 11,530 women for tropical diseases

The Executive Director of Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), Sabina Idowu-Osehobo has expressed concern over the alarming cases of cancer stressing that at least 102,000 new cases of cancer occur annually in Nigeria with over 60 percent in women battling breast and cervical cancer.

She traced the main barriers inhibiting cancer control in Nigeria to poor access to screening services and inadequate awareness, noting that with early detection, over 80 percent of cancer cases are preventable and 40 percent of the disease eradicated by adopting healthy lifestyle.

Sabina Idowu-Osehob disclosed that about 12.4 million women and other community members have benefitted from LAPO Community Campaign for Cancer Control (LAPO-C4) project, which is aimed at reducing cancer related deaths in Nigeria with focus on prevention and early detection through mass awareness creation, screening, and referrals for treatment.

She added that 3,409 persons were screened for various cancer infections, 580 referred for treatment while 12,362,957 community members were sensitized on cancer control to raise awareness of the fast ravaging disease.

The executive director implored women, particularly those of child bearing age against unhealthy lifestyle, charged them on maintaining regular and periodic medical check-up, stressing that breast and cervical cancer posed serious threat to their lives.

Idowu-Osehobo said LAPO has over the years been involved in community health improvement and support for health facility upgrading in rural communities.She said 3,458 women benefitted from the LAPO/Edo State Cervical Cancer Programme with those diagnosed with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and vulnerable to cervical cancer provided free treatment.

Also, LAPO said it has screened no fewer than 11,530 Women, and others for tropical diseases with a view to promoting early detection and management of common diseases in Nigeria.

Health Manager, Ayobami Honestus Obadiora who disclosed this said non-communicable diseases (NCD) was responsible for about 20 percent of all deaths and 60 percent of admitted patients in most tertiary hospitals in Nigeria, adding that 11,530 women and other beneficiaries were screened for malaria, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and other common ailments by LAPO.