Groups partner Anambra Library to mark World Cancer Day

By Izunna Okafor

The need for people  to eat more of natural and organic food to boost their immune system and minimise  risk of cancer has been emphasised.

 Chief Medical Director and CEO, Crescent Diagnostics, Emeka Ezeazu made the call at a one-day event organised to mark the 2021 World Cancer Day.

The event, which held at Onitsha Divisional Library, Anambra State, was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Developmental Initiative for Technology and Empowerment (DEVITEM), in collaboration with Anambra State Library Board and Majorie Bash Foundation.

Delivering a lecture at the event, Dr. Ezeazu, who noted that cancer can occur on any part of the body, further enumerated some of the things that can expose one to cancer, to include excessive intake of alcohol, excess sugar, active or passive smoking, inhaling of dangerous chemicals or substances, among other direct and indirect causes.

According to him, there are specific symptoms for various types of cancer; however there are some general and common symptoms which include fatigue, weight loss, pain, skin changes, change in bowel or bladder function, unusual bleeding, persistent cough or voice change, fever, lumps, or tissue masses.

Urging people to always exam their body system each time they observe some unusual signs or symptoms, the health professional said, "What we eat is very important, and therefore, we should be mindful of our intakes. That is why people in the village do not suffer most these diseases. Eat more of natural and organic foods, and avoid excessive alcohol; avoid active or passive smoking, excessive sugar intake and other inorganic or canned foods."

 Convener of the program and Project Coordinator, DEVITEM, Ngozi Osuchukwu said the event was aimed at creating awareness on the existence of cancer as a disease, giving people detailed and comprehensive information about the dangerous disease, as well as providing them with practical health tips and measures for reducing and curtailing the ravaging effects of the disease.

Describing the theme of the 2021 World Cancer Day —"I Am and I Will" (which has been the theme running since 2019 and will end this year) — as a personal charge for everyone to join in the fight against cancer through self caring and awareness creation; Mrs. Osuchukwu, who is also librarian, called on everyone to go for regular medical screening to ascertain the status of their health and body system, as early detection of disease makes it easier and faster to cure.

Earlier in her speech, the Director, Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze, revealed that the state's public library now takes active parts in awareness creation and information dissemination, being the reason it currently observes and marks many international days that are pivotal to its roles, including the World Cancer Day.

While advising the participants to take home and put into practice all they learnt at the event, she also charged them to help spread the message through awareness creation and by educating others in their various areas and localities.

On her own part, the Divisional Librarian, Onitsha Divisional Library, Mrs Enemuo Sopuluchukwu described this year's event as a memorable one and the best so far, owing to its features and lecture.

She appreciated DEVITEM, Anambra State Library Board, Majorie Bash Foundation and Crescent Diagnostics for 'giving' their best towards the success of the event.

The event which started with aerobics, featured a lecture on cancer, questions and answers session and announcement of  free cancer test slots for 20

 participants (10 males and 10 females) at the Crescent Diagnostics, by the CMD/CEO, Dr. Ezeazu.