NGO Speaks On Prevention Of Cancer In Children

Children with Cancer Intervention Initiative, a non-governmental organisation has said if appropriate diets are maintained during pregnancy, it is possible to prevent cancer in children.

Dr Lizzy Njoku, Specialist Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, who spoke during World Cancer Day 2023, held by CCII for children, described cancer as when one of the cells in the body grows uncontrollably, saying most of the causes of paediatric cancer was unknown, as research still ongoing.

“Cancer prevention in children starts from pregnancy.

“There are certain things you can do to prevent cancer in children during pregnancy by taking folic acid and eating fruits and vegetables.

She, however, also mentioned some activities that could predispose children to cancer. 

“Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy can contribute to cancer in children, it must be allowed to diffuse before sleeping.

“Exposure to alcohol and smoking is bad for children, some plastic feeding bottles processed foods, and canned foods, have oncogenic agents, which slip into the food we eat.

"Cups and spoons are safer for children, don’t fry your soup too much, and let’s eat fresh food.

“Traffic monoxide has a lot of carcinogenic especially for children and because of the cooling and heating of feeding bottles, plastic, and petroleum products are oncogenic.”

A nutritionist, Damilola Joseph, said cancer would form when a genetic mutation turns normal healthy cells into abnormal cells.

She mentioned that insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and insufficient intake of fibre diet (plant material that cannot be digested but helps you to digest other food) were some of the dietary problems that could aid cancer formation.