Group calls for deliberate action to reduce burden

An organisation, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), has urged Nigerians to take deliberate actions to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals and communities.

The organisation made this call in a statement made available through email on Saturday by its Executive Secretary, Dr Abia Nzelu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was to commemorate the Feb. 4, 2016 World Cancer Day tagged ``We Can, I Can’’.

``The goal for all of us is to ensure that fewer people develop cancer, more people are successfully treated and that there is a better quality of life for people during treatment and beyond.

``World Cancer Day 2016 to 2018 explores how everyone collectively or individually can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer in the world.

``Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities,’’ it said.

According to the statement, this year’s World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what actions one can take to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

``There is the need for us to examine the current cancer situation both globally and in our nation, Nigeria; and to determine how we can all take action,’’ the statement said.

It said that, World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that about 70 per cent of cancer deaths occurred in developing nations like Nigeria.

It said that while over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, about 80,000 of such persons die, giving a dismal survival rate of one to five.

According to WHO, Nigeria has had a significant increase in the incidence of deaths from the common cancers within four years.

``Cancer kills about thrice the number of people who die of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria combined,’’ it said.

The statement said that to address the problem of cancer, CECP has adopted the Big War against Cancer as its current focal cause.

``The BIG WAR against cancer is designed to establish the infrastructure for efficient and effective cancer prevention and treatment in Nigeria.

``The short-term goal of the BIG WAR is to acquire and deploy 37 Mobile Cancer Centres, one for each state and FCT Abuja.

``A single Mobile Cancer Centres in a state of Nigeria could make a huge positive difference in the fight against cancer,’’ it said.

It said that a Mobile Cancer Centre was a clinic on wheels with state of the art facilities for screening, follow-up and treatment including surgeries for pre-cancer and early cancer cases.

It urged all Nigerians to give their treasure and talent to help in the war against cancer.