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Tag: Cancer

  • BRECAN parleys Ondo health sector on effective cancer control

    BRECAN parleys Ondo health sector on effective cancer control

    The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has called for collaborations among key players in the health sector towards ensuring effective cancer control in the state.

    Speaking at the BRECAN lunch meeting with all health professionals in the state at an event which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mrs. Akeredolu reviewed some of the activities of BRECAN over the years noting that the focus has always been on early detection and as well encouraging government to improve its policies and funding for cancer control.

    Mrs. Akeredolu who called for the commitment of all parties concerned noted that BRECAN is a non governmental organization funded by individuals.

    She also highlighted the goals of crowd funding campaigns while urging major players in the health sector to key into the initiative so as to keep up the advocacy in all nooks and crannies of the society at large.

    In his presentation, Dr. Kingsley Ndoh, a Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Washington and Consultant, Ondo State Cancer Control Programme gave an overview of the successes so far recorded to include getting the support and delivery of equipments from foreign partners among other things.

    He further observed that plans are underway to organise pathology workshops, just as Mrs. Akeredolu is expected to deliver a lecture at the Harvard University soonest as part of efforts geared towards attracting global attention.

    While noting that the strides of Mrs. Akeredolu got the commitment of the state government to build a cancer treatment centre in Ondo State, Dr. Ndoh further affirmed that appropriate legislative backing was appealed for from the state house of assembly towards ensuring that cancer is no longer a death sentence.

    In his remark, the Honourable Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro while pledging to incorporate training of health workers on self breast examination into the system, affirmed government’s commitment to managing cancer in the state.

    Dr. Adegbenro who urged residents of the state to key into the health insurance scheme of the present administration noted that under the plan, there is unlimited access to funds for treatment of any diseases

    In her presentation, Dr. Teniola Akeredolu provided an overview of the conference attended in Lusaka, Zambia while stressing the need for collaboration between key stakeholders in the health sector.

    Earlier in lecture, Dr. Ndidi Okunuga noted that from available statistics from Akure, the Ondo State capital, there is an average of 80 cancer cases per year.

    According to her, there was a need for a comprehensive cancer control which would encompass having more Pathologists on ground to attend to patients, more scientists to conduct researches and as well the establishment of standard diagnostic labs among others.

    Ondo State BRECAN state chairman, Dr. Toyin Ayimoro while delivering her lecture on Building Partnership with Community Gatekeepers in Cancer Awareness and Advocacy called for all hands to be on deck as the incidence of cancer has been on the rise.

    Dr. Ayimoro who frowned at the fact that there are no adequate resources on ground to treat cancer patients underscored the need to strengthen partnership among all.

    High point of the event came with the verbal commitment of key stakeholders to continue to support the cause.

  • Obaseki visits accident victims, takes responsibility of 5-year-old cancer treatment

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has visited and offset medical bills of persons who suffered various degrees of injuries, in a road accident involving a bus attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two vehicles, in Ugbowo area of Benin City.

    Some of the victims are admitted and receiving medical care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.

    The governor, during the visit, learnt that one of the victims, Freeman Okoro, a five-year-old, was a cancer patient and had come for chemotherapy session at UBTH before the unfortunate incident.

    On learning of his condition, the governor pledged to take responsibility of his cancer treatment and also offset the bill of Freeman’s cousin, who had been held in the hospital for his inability to pay for his treatment.

    Governor Obaseki said, “I came to see the condition of the victims of the accident myself. Just as we have promised on the day of the accident when the victims were admitted. The state government has taken full responsibility of their medical bills.

    “We will also make sure we follow up with the full recovery of those who are still being treated for injuries from the accident.”

    Consultant General and Coordinator, Accident and Emergency Department, UBTH, Dr. Nnadi Nwashile, said, “The patients are in stable condition. Six persons in the bus were treated and discharged on the day of the accident.”

    He added, “The two patients in the hospital are Mrs. Mary Okoro and her son, Freeman Okoro, who are being treated. Mrs. Okoro sustained a fracture on her upper arm and is being attended to by an Orthopaedic doctor. The son will be discharged soon.”

    The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved a vehicle attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two other vehicles. No life was lost.

     

  • Bakeries in Nigeria still use cancer-causing chemical to bake bread – Expert raises alarm

    A professor of food chemistry at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, Oladunni Akinnawo has alerted the Federal Government and other relevant agencies of how bakers have continued the use of a banned substance, potassium bromate in baking bread.

    Recall that the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, had earlier warned bakeries to desist from using the substance as it is certified to cause cancer.

    As a sign of obedience to the NAFDAC rule, most bakers now inscribe the ‘bromate free’ sign boldly on their packaged bread.

    However, a recent study by Akinnawo in Ibadan and Oyo towns, for instance, indicated the use of potassium bromate in 72 per cent of bread samples.

    Akinnawo stated this on Thursday while delivering the 9th inaugural lecture of the university, according to a statement issued by the university spokesperson, Alvan Ewuzie.

    The lecturer called on NAFDAC to intensify enlightenment and enforcement of the ban in order to safeguard consumers’ lives.

    She said the substance, which is added to bread dough to strengthen it, increase loaf volume, and improve the texture, can cause sore throat, abdominal pains, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In extreme cases, it could lead to kidney failure and heart failure, she said.

    She added that studies have linked the compound in the chemical to cancer in experimental animals and humans and has been classified as a potential carcinogen.

    Mrs. Akinnawo, who teaches in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ajayi Crowther University, urged Nigerians to shun certain contemporary food practices like uncontrolled use of additives in making snacks in fast food houses, which she said was responsible for most cases of overweight in adults and obesity in adolescents.

    She condemned the practice of using polyethylene wrappers to steam moi-moi (beans pudding), saying it was dangerous to health. The practice, she said, releases dioxins and other carcinogenic toxins into the food, during the process of cooking.

    According to her, wrapping of moi-moi in leaves, while cooking it, was better than wrapping it in nylon or other materials. She said the leaves preserve the taste and make it more hygienic.

    Mrs. Akinnawo, who advised Nigerians to diversify their food choices rather than being restricted to garri, fufu, amala, and rice, acknowledged that rice production has been on the rise in the country. But said the federal government could do more than that.

    “Rice is not the only food that Nigerians eat and need,” she said. “Just as the government is diversifying the economy, there is need to diversify crop species for production and consumption.

    “Emphasis should be on producing more of food crops like maize, yams, fruits, leafy fruits and vegetables…. There is need to enlarge our food basket to increase most of crop species, a large variety of diets can be available to promote a good nutrition and encourage optimal health,” she said.

    The lecture was attended by scholars from Ajayi Crowther University and the University of Ibadan. It was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Dapo Asaju.

  • SNEPCo donates radiotherapy equipment to fight cancer

    Nigeria last week joined other countries of the world to mark the 2018 World Cancer Day.

    This year’s theme focused on exploring individual and collective drive to reduce global burden of cancer.

    It outlined actions that communities and individuals could take to save lives, achieve greater equity in cancer care and make fighting cancer a priority.

    On the occasion, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, disclosed the Federal Government’s plans to roll out nationwide screening for common types of cancers and applauded Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company for donating a new linear accelerator radiotherapy equipment at a cost of over $1 million to the National Hospital, Abuja.

    Nigeria has less than one radiotherapy machine per one million people compared to one machine to 250,000 people in the developed world.

    Cancer patients in Nigeria have been dying in numbers due to difficulty in accessing radiotherapy treatment.

    There is a limited number of radiotherapy machines in the country and many patients have been forced to travel out of the country, even to neighbouring countries such as Ghana, to seek treatment.

    In Nigeria, about 10,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually, while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly.

    The health ministry’s database shows that 50 per cent of corpses flown into the country involve cancer-related deaths.

    Describing the arrival of the second machine as a major breakthrough for the country, Prof. Adewole said its installation would avoid running down the first machine, which has currently treated over 200 patients and further check medical tourism as patients who travel abroad for cancer treatment would return home to receive treatment at the centre.

    While 40 per cent of cancer can be prevented with healthy lifestyle, another 40 per cent if detected early can be cured.

    Unfortunately, cancer patients in Nigeria face uncertain fate as they do not get the required treatment as and when due, following the collapse of cancer treatment and support services at designated public and private health institutions nationwide.

    Almost all the cancer centres are non-operational.

    “I have also encouraged some state government to invest on both radiotherapy and chemotherapy to improve quality of care and survival of cancer patients,” the Minister assured.

    Adewole said government was committed to the development of the Public Private Partnership strategies to address the funding gaps and manpower shortages to surmount these barriers.

    Responding, the SNEPCo’s representative, Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, said the donation was one of the company’s way of giving back to the society in which it operates.

    The donation is a key aspect of the intervention of SNEPCo with the active support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC and co-venture partners in strengthening the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria.

    Since 2013, SNEPCo has supported several health intervention programmes in country.

    It developed capacity of health workers in seven states in the South West and South-South regions, and supported the BEARS Foundation for the repair of congenital cleft lip and palate.

    Also in 2014, SNEPCo worked with an NGO, Extended Hands, to undertake corrective surgery and treatment of women suffering from Vesical Vaginal Fistula across the six geopolitical zones.

    In 2016, thousands of residents in Lagos benefitted from a health outreach organised by SNEPCo, which offered free medical services and education at strategic areas in the mega city.

  • I am still in a little bit of pain- Banky W on battle with cancer

    Nigerian pop star and Empire Mates Entertainment boss, Banky W has disclosed that his decade-long battle with cancer is finally over.

    In an hour-long Instagram Live Session with TheNETng, Banky said he is still in a little bit of pains, thanking God for his healing.

     

    According to them: “The good news is that I did get my pathology test and I am completely in the clear. Although I am still in a little bit of pain, I give all the glory be to God. But people in Nigeria greet very aggressively, so when people see you they want to tap you at the back; it is getting better”.

     

    No alternative to Buhari in 2019 – Boss Mustapha

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfNONruBL4g/?taken-by=instablog9ja

  • 10,000 Nigerians die of cancer annually – Health Minister

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Friday in Abuja said 10,000 people die annually due to agony and lack of basic equipment for treatment of cancer.

    Adewole said at the inauguration of the National Hospital’s Radiotherapy Centre with new Multilleave Lenear Accelerator for cancer treatment.

    He attributed the number of deaths to lack of necessarily equipment and resources to attend to cancer patients.

    The minister who described cancer as a worldwide disease that kill more people than the combination of Tuberculosis, infectious diseases and HIV, decried the lack of resources to cushion the effect of cancer.

    He said: “Base on the review of International Atomic Energy Agencies of all countries conducted in 2013 only South Africa and Egypt have the capability of treating cancer,” and described the situation as worrisome.

    Speaking on the inaugurated facility, Adewole commended the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, for her passion in addressing the plight of cancer patients,

    He emphasised that such passion had made it a reality for the centre to be operational and described it as a measure toward alleviating the plight of patients.

    Nothing the presence of one Multilleave Lenear Accelerator machine at the facility at the moment, he assured of increasing it to two in order to forestall challenges of patients in the event of breakdown of one.

    The minister pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to upgrade other seven cancer centres next year in order to minimise the burden of cancer and associated death rates in the country.

    “What is important is that the machine has been put to work and upgraded and it is an opportunity for linking those network, treatment modalities that are new.

    “Anybody coming to this centre will get the right treatment. With the right complaint, we will minimise our treatment damages to neighbouring organs so that we can be more precise with respect to treatment that we offer.

    “We are making moves to have two new machines that can treat people and also pledge to complete this centre to become the first of its kind in Nigeria,’’ Adewole said.

    Adewole who noted the standard practice of one machine to one million people, emphasised that considering the population of the country, Nigeria required 200 of such machines across the seven cancer centres in the country.

    According to him, if such machines are in place they will adequately meet the challenges of the populace with regard to cancer care.

    Earlier, Dr Jafaru Momoh, the Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, said the radiotherapy unit which included women, men and children was first inaugurated in 2000.

    Momoh said it has been operational till February this year when it finally broke down due to overstretched among others.

    He noted that the new centre had facility for one CT Simulator and two Radiotherapy Bunkers.

    According to him, one multileave LINAC was procured in 2013 but was not installed until recently due to paucity of funds to procure the necessary CT simulators and accessories for the installation and inauguration.

    “The new LINAC is the first of its kind in Nigeria, staff of relevant departments have been trained on its use.

    “Additional support will be needed to complete the entire complex and provide the necessary equipment and relevant manpower to run it as a centre of excellence for cancer care,’’he said.

    Osinbajo, while inaugurating the facility, lauded the efforts of the hospital’s management for making the facility a reality.

    She described the death of 10,000 people to cancer as unimaginable and assured the hospital of the federal government’s support in making everything available to ensure quality service delivery in the facility.

    “I looked forward to a day that the cure of cancer stand but I am happy that though the resources are limited but we are making steps, stride in the right direction.

    “I see hope with the machine here and all other things to go. My appeal is for us to love Nigeria and for us to love Nigerians.

    “I pray for us to respond to love Nigeria and respond to love Nigerians and the result will be a beloveth Nigeria.

    “By risen of this building I see patients that are helped, loved ones of patients that are happy that we have a facility that they can use to help their loved ones out of sickness ,’’ she said.

     

    NAN

     

  • Claims that telecom masts cause cancer untrue – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, disputed claims that the telecommunication masts cause cancer and other health problems.

    This was revealed by the Zonal Controller of the NCC, South-East, Mrs. Emilia Nwokoro during a consumer conversation forum organised by the Commission in Enugu.

    She noted that several studies have been conducted to ascertain whether telecommunication masts pose health risks.

    Nwokoro explained that the researchers did not provide any evidence that the telecommunication infrastructure was harmful to human beings.

    “A number of studies have investigated the effects of radiofrequency fields on brain electrical activity, cognitive function, sleep, heart rate and blood pressure in volunteers.

    “To date, research does not suggest any consistent evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to radiofrequency fields at levels below those that cause tissue heating.

    “In line with the position of the International Telecommunications Union supported by International Council on Non-ionizing, Radiation Protection and the World Health Organisation, NCC has maintained that as at today, there is no conclusive evidence to show correlation between the electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts and health risk to individuals around these infrastructures,” she said.

    Nwokoro assured that NCC would continue to educate the public on issues concerning public health and telecommunication services.

  • Stop giving oral sex, it causes cancer, Gynaecologist warns lovers

    Stop giving oral sex, it causes cancer, Gynaecologist warns lovers

    A professor, Adegboyega Fawole of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, has warned that Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) has been found in the throat of people engaging in oral sex.

    Mr. Fawole, who is of the Department of Gynaecology, UITH, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin on Tuesday that HPV was mostly sexually transmitted.

    He said that the virus caused almost all cases of cervical cancer and could cause genital warts and anal cancer.

    “Oral sex has been linked with an increased risk of acquiring HPV infection in the mouth and with an increased risk of developing oral cancers that are caused by HPV.

    “However, sex, in general, has also been linked with these risks,” he said.

    The gynaecologist warned that those engaging in oral sex were twice more likely to have oral HPV infection than those who did not engage in oral sex.

    Mr. Fawole, however, said there was no need for individuals in monogamous relationships to restrict their sexual activities if the pair was in good health.

    He called on people to always go for screening and check-up to guard against cancer of any kind.

     

    NAN

  • On-air-personality Sensei Uche diagnosed with cancer

    On-air-personality, Uche Agbai, popularly known as Sensei Uche, has revealed he is battling with cancer.

    According to the City 105.1FM presenter, he has been diagnosed with stage three nasal lymphoma, which he got a whiff of in December 2016.

    He added that he had completed two courses of chemotherapy at Lakeshore Center in Lagos.

    Uche said he requires N7,560,000 ($21,000) to complete my treatment.

    He posted on Instagram, “Hello everyone, my name is Uche Agbai, many of you may know me as ‘SenseiUche’ of City 105.1FM. Those of you who do may have also noticed I have been off air for an unusually long time. In appreciation of the concerned messages and loving support that I have received I would like to take this opportunity to explain the circumstances of my absence.

    “The story began sometime in December 2016. I had slowly come to realise that I was losing sense of hearing in my left ear. With the onset of persistent nasal congestion and a recurring sore throat I sought medical attention. After visiting a number of hospitals all of whom subjected me to several tests, I was told I had simply been suffering from an infection.

    “I began my treatment in the hopes the symptoms would clear. The symptoms worsened and I started having severe nose bleeds. I was then advised to consult an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. After several scans, an MRI scan of my head revealed an unidentified growth in my upper nasal tract measuring 8.5cm and 3cm wide, my blood ran cold.

    “The discovery cast my life into limbo, suddenly confronted with several frightening prognoses; potential blindness, partial deafness, anosmia or worse. After undergoing surgery, a biopsy of the mass returned the diagnosis; cancer. Analysis of my scans would show I had a stage 3 nasal lymphoma.

    “To this day I cannot quite find the words to describe the emotions of helplessness and despair that beset me. It was as though my life had suddenly and without fair warning, been brought to a screeching halt. I was advised on the high risk of my situation with the danger that the cancer could metastasise and spread to my brain. Compounded by my struggle in finding adequate medical care in Nigeria, I felt as though I was in a lopsided battle against time for my wellbeing.

    “It has been in no uncertain terms, thanks to the support of my family, friends, and dear colleagues at City FM that I have been managing to cope with all of this. The emotional, the physical and the financial struggles that accompany fighting such a disease are just too overwhelming for one person to hope to transcend. To those who have been there, my sincerest and deepest gratitude.

    “My treatment plan consists of 6 courses of chemotherapy and intermittent radiotherapy spread over a 7 month period. My fight has begun, and at the time of writing I have completed 2 courses of chemotherapy at Lakeshore Center in Lagos, with plans to receive radiotherapy in one of their affiliates abroad.

    With a projected cost of 21,000 USD/~16,000 GBP to complete my treatment, I wish to appeal to you all to help in my battle against cancer.

  • ‘Eating Suya can cause nine major diseases’

    ‘Eating Suya can cause nine major diseases’

    A new research has claimed that eating roasted beef and lamb, popularly called Suya in Nigeria, increases chances of dying from nine major diseases.

    Results published in the British Medical Journal, revealed that people who ate the most red meat were 26% more likely to die of various diseases.

    Red meat raises the risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and diabetes. Beef, lamb and pork also increase your susceptibility of stroke, infections and kidney, liver and lung disease.

    The researchers, however, stated that eating white meat regularly, may reverse the damage.

    “The results show increased risks of all cause mortality and death due to nine different causes associated with both processed and unprocessed red meat.

    “They also show reduced risks associated with substituting white meat, particularly unprocessed white meat. The effects of meat on human health may be due to ingredients such as heme iron, nitrates, and nitrites,” the report said.

    It added: “High intakes of heme iron have been shown to be associated with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Nitrates and nitrites are added to meat during the curing process.

    “Some investigators believe that nitrates from vegetable sources may have potential benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health, but nitrate/nitrite from drinking water and processed meat has been associated with increased risks of different cancers.”