NGO launches lung cancer prevention campaign
News & Trends •
by joshua olomu2 in collaboration with relevant health organisations the group organises free cancer screening for nigerians across the country1 mr caleb egwuenu the project director of maca told news agency of nigeria nan on the sideline of the campaign that the awarenesswas part of the groups initiative toward marking the 2018 lung cancer awareness month lcam1 november is a global lung cancer awareness month designed toraise awareness on the need for more research and better communityeducation about the disease1 according to egwuenu the campaign is to educate nigerians on some common but unhealthy practices that can cause lung cancer1 he said as we know november is the awareness month forlung cancer therefore we have seized this opportunity to launch the sensitisation1 this is in line with our goals at maca to educate people on cancer and to reduce cancer-related burden and its consequent death rate in our society1 like we did in october as the awareness month for breast cancer we are using this month to provide information to nigerians onlung cancer especially on its prevention1 dr abiodu egwuenu a volunteer epidemiologist with maca during her presentation at the awareness programme said that lung cancerwas the most common type of cancer among males and the third most common cancer among females in developing countries1 move against cancer africa maca a cancer advocacy ngo on thursday rolled out lung cancer prevention awareness programme in the federal capital territory fct.1 research has shown that 58 per cent of new cases occur in less developed regions and this is why awareness is very crucial1 she identified some risk factors of lung cancer to include smoking exposure to secondhand smoke exposure to asbestos andother carcinogens and family history of lung cancer1 according to her exposure to radon a gas produced by breakdown of uranium in soil rock and water also causes lung cancer in the long run1 egwuenu explained thatsymptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough coughing up blood even a small amountchest pain bonepain and worsening shortness of breath among others1 she therefore warned that people should beware of secondhand smoke by avoiding areas where people smoke such as bars andrestaurants where smoking is permitted1 prohibition of smoking in public places including child care facility will help in checking secondhand smoke she said1 maca is an ngo that provides essential medical information to people affected by or concerned about cancer1 it helps individuals and families to understand interpret and act upon the most reliable and recent breast cancer informationfor informed decision making1 she added that for several decades now lung cancer has been the most common in the world and it claims more lives each year thancolon prostate ovarian and breast cancers combined1