Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioner of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr. Rabiu Kusimo has urged people with cancer symptoms to submit themselves for treatment.
Dr. Kusimo also stressed that the breast, prostate and lungs were leading organs affected by cancer.
He said this in a statement on Thursday as part activities to commemorate this year World Cancer Day.
Kusimo said many cancer patients have survived the disease due to increased enlightenment, improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment all over the world.
He also raised alarm that one out of every six deaths on daily basis was caused by cancer globally.
He said “according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018.
“Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. This is really alarming and calls for concerted efforts of all to help us all. The survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to increased enlightenment, improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment all over the word. The breast, the prostate and the lungs appear to be leading organs affected by cancer.
“On this day and in line with the year’s theme, the attention of the public is hereby drawn to individual kits for prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.
“Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats, unexplained fatigue, unexplained muscle or joint pain, an unusual swelling/lump or thickening that can be felt under the skin anywhere in the body, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating, skin changes- such as yellowing, darkening or redness anywhere on the body, non healing sores, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or breathing difficulties”.
