LAPO tasks Nigerians on regular screening for cancer detection

A Non Governmental Organisation, Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), has called on the Federal Government to fund relevant health organisations to assist in the fight against cancer in the country.

Executive Director, LAPO, Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, also affirmed that increased awareness of the signs, symptoms and timely diagnosis of cancer ailments will improve survival and has therefore encouraged Nigerians to undertake regular screening for early detection.

Idowu-Osehobo made this call while reviewing the Community Campaign for Cancer Control (LAPO-C4) project being implemented in Lagos, Imo, Abuja, Rivers, and Edo State.

She said 4,571,918 persons benefitted from the programme in August 2017, adding that the campaign was implemented in partnership with 13 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), aimed at reducing the number of deaths arising from cancer and enable Nigerians live healthier lives.

“Cancer is a deadly disease. We have a special focus on breast and cervical cancers, which are common amongst females. We also sensitise the men on prostate cancer. Early detection and prevention is key, so that we can reduce the number of deaths and achieve zero occurrence level in the country.

“Not all cancer ailments show early signs and symptoms and may appear when the case has reached an advanced stage. If people go for regular screening, there would be early detection; it makes it easy for treatment and cure,” she added.

Also, LAPO has developed the leadership skills of 36,052 women to enable them overcome socio-cultural and traditional inhibitions militating against their progress and the realization of their aspirations.

She expressed concern that a lot of women are discriminated against, marginalized, and excluded from life transforming opportunities, stressing that women empowerment have always been an integral part of LAPO’s poverty reduction efforts.

She said the organization was committed to dismantling structures and processes that encourage discrimination, injustice and violence against women, adding that gender-based discrimination permeates all cultures, and often manifests in laws, policies, and practices of institutions.

According to her, for more than two decades, LAPO has been in the forefront in bringing gender issues to wider attention, promoting legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women economically.

She advised parents to avoid every form of discrimination against their female children, arguing that a child’s sex becomes irrelevant when equal opportunities for advancement both educationally and otherwise are made available to all.