By Okeogbuehi Uchechukwujeme
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Women Forum (NBAWF) has embarked for a Walk-for-Life Cancer awareness programme to highpoint importance of early test to ensure free cancer detection for both men and women.
The Walk Away Cancer awarenesses session of NBA Awka Zone which held preparatory to October 31, programme involved Awka, Aguata and Anaocha. The screening outcome is aimed at ensuring early detection of cancer growth in human body.
During the cancer awareness march, participants trekked from NBA Awka Branch, through Kwata Expressway, Unizik Junction, Arthur Eze Avenue, Gbalimgba/Eke Awka Junction and back to NBA Awka Bar Centre. Speaking during the Walk-for-Life event, the Chairman of Awka NBA Branch, Barrister Nnamdi Anagor noted that the walk followed a Cancer Awareness Sensitization Programme hosted earlier on October 10 this year at the Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre in Awka, focusing on early detection and critical health education.
Anagor said the goal of the walk-for-life programme was to promote cancer awareness, physical fitness, and healthy living .He said: "Physical exercise is key because it reduce chances of getting cancer. He said the participants will help to amplify a message that reaches the domains of families, workplaces, schools, churches, media, and communities across the country.
"Every person should get involved in physical exercise.". The Awka NBA boss pointed out that the the initiative was aimed at combining physical exercise with cancer awareness, while encouraging individuals, particularly women, to embrace healthier lifestyles and support efforts to promote cancer prevention and early detection.
"Cancer is here with us, we need to create awareness on how to deal with it. Every man is prone to have prostate cancer. Check what you eat, it could be as a result of lifestyle, it could be genetic.Whatever it us, we should try and go for early test, from age of 40 and above."
According to him, "you are what you eat. Minimize what you eat. Be moderate in what you consume.and follow recommendation or prescription of a doctor or health expert," he noted. Earlier in her address, the Facilitator of NBA Women Forum (NBAWF), Barrister Obianuju Nwakpadolu observed that the free cervical cancer screening doesn't limit to its members, but cuts across board. Nwakpadolu noted that the free cancer screening test being offered by NBAWF ordinarily costs N50,000 outside, noting that government equally offers subscribed rate.
According to her, "we should avoid contracting cancer or mitigate its occurrence by regular check ups. Health is life, health is wealth.". The NBAWF Facilitator called for self examination of breasts to find out if there is any development of lump.
She asserted that women should've not their right to good wealth by knowing their health status. Nwakpadolu dispelled the rumour making the rounds that red meat causes cander as a fallacy. She encouraged those who get tested and found negative to take vaccination. She called on women lawyers to embark on regular physical fitness exercise to remain healthy for their general wellbeing, mental alertness and career progress.