Cancer Survivors Call For Early Diagnosis, Treatment

In order to increase the chances of surviving cancer, some survivors in Imo have called for early diagnosis and treatment.

The survivors made the call on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a cancer sensitisation programme in Owerri.

The Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, organised the programme in collaboration with some NGOs.

One of the survivors, Florence Chibueze, one of the survivors, told NAN that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in overcoming cancer.

“I was diagnosed early with the disease; I stayed in the wheelchair with oxygen support for two months while undergoing chemotherapy.

“I thank the doctors and my family members for detecting the disease on time and for taking expedient measures to support me,’’ she said.

Chukwuma Etonyeaku, a retired teacher, and another survivor urged members of the public to undergo regular health checks.

“The time has passed when cancer was a death a sentence. We just need to detect it early enough and take the right treatment,’’ he said.

The Father of a five-year-old survivor, Patrick Opara, also speaking with NAN, said his daughter was at the final stage of maintenance.

“We are able to go this far because of early diagnosis of her condition. We need to be serious with our health by regularly going for checks,’’ he said.

Delivering a lecture entitled: 'Close the Care Gap: Surviving into the Future' earlier, Dr Darmian Oparaocha, a medical doctor, urged cancer patients not to patronise quacks.

According to Oparaocha, cancer patients who take the right steps early had huge chances of survival.

Oparaocha cautioned against the activities of quacks who pose as medical experts, saying: “This is a disservice to humanity.’’

Also speaking, Dr Rita Okeredi, Chairman of the Imo chapter of the Nigerian Cancer Society called on governments at all levels to subsidise cancer treatment.

Okeredi also urged stakeholders to provide more cancer vaccines to ensure prevention.