By Ovat Abeng
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anambra State Branch, Women Forum, has called on men and women, young and old, to prioritise regular cancer screening and early detection to improve treatment outcomes and save lives.
The call was made during a health awareness walk organised by the forum in Onitsha as part of activities marking Cancer Awareness Month in October.
The lawyers walked from the NBA House through the DMGS area, Ekene Junction and Awka Road, stopping at strategic points to sensitise market women, motorists and passers-by on different types of cancer, warning signs and preventive measures.
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Speaking after the walk, the Chairman of the NBA Onitsha Branch commended the President of the Bar for initiating the sensitization programme, describing it as a welcome development that would raise awareness and encourage lawyers to take their health seriously.
He also appreciated the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Amara Muojeke Esq., who is the state lead for the exercise, and other participants who joined the walk.
He stressed that cancer awareness should concern everyone, regardless of age or gender, and urged lawyers to make regular medical checks and appropriate cancer screening a priority.
In her remarks, Amara Muojeke Esq. said lawyers often devote considerable time to addressing the problems of others while neglecting their personal health, emphasising the need to take proactive steps towards their well-being.
She noted that early detection could improve the chances of successful treatment, urged women to take breast and cervical cancer screening seriously.
Mrs. Muojeke listed persistent bloating, abdominal swelling, constipation, unexplained weight loss, lumps or unusual swelling in the breast, bleeding after menopause, difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine and persistent tiredness among symptoms associated with cancer.
She, however, clarified that these symptoms do not automatically indicate cancer, as they could be associated with other medical conditions, but advised members of the public to seek medical evaluation when these symptoms persist or unusual changes occur.
Coordinators of the NBA Women Forum from Ogbaru, Ihiala, Onitsha, and other areas also took turns to call for a stronger culture of cancer awareness among men and women.
They urged the public to embrace regular screening, healthy living and prompt medical attention, stressing that cancer awareness and early detection are important across all age groups.
