9,000 women die of cervical cancer yearly in Nigeria

Dr Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health

An Oncologist, Dr Kehinde Okunade, has said that no fewer than 9,000 Nigerian women die yearly as a result of cervical cancer.

Okunade, also a Director, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, an NGO, made the disclosure at a Health Sensitisation and Screening for Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in Lagos on Saturday.

According to him, cervical cancer had killed more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria put together.

“More than 14, 550 Nigerian women are infected with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the major cause of cancer of the cervix.

“In spite of this statistics, there is evidence that utilisation of screening for prevention of the disease is poor in Nigeria.

“I am calling on women of reproductive age to observe regular cervical cancer screening because any woman who is sexually active is at risk,’’ Okunade said.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Sebeccly, Dr Omolola Salako, said that early detection through screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions remained the best possible protection against cancer of the cervix.

Salako said that it would take 10 to 15 years for the cells of the cervix to grow abnormal and become cancerous.

She said the window period was “when screening is done to detect any abnormality in the cervix and prevent cervical cancer’’.

Salako advised that women could reduce the risk of cervical cancer by avoiding sex in their age, avoid multiple sexual partners and smoking.

“The girl-child should be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine at age nine and women should go for regular screening.

“Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent and the death rate is unacceptable.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog