Anambra State Joined the rest of the World to Mark the 2022 World Cancer Day Celebration, as early detection and treatment have been described as key to surviving the disease.
Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in an organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body or spread to organs.
Addressing the media in Awka, the Anambra state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala noted that the day aims to prevent millions of deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, as well as pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease.
Dr. Okpala explained that cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated deaths of about ten million people annually and is projected to cause the deaths of about thirteen million people in the year 2030.
The Anambra Health Commissioner urged the citizens to avoid tobacco intake, maintain healthy weight and diet, limit alcohol intake, practice safe sex and get vaccinated against hepatitis B, among others in order to stay safe from the disease, adding that early diagnosis is very key to running away from cancer.
Commissioner Okpala commended governor Willie Obiano for all he has done in ensuring that the State is doing well in the awareness creation and treatment of non-communicable diseases in Anambra state.
The Anambra state Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Uchechukwu Onyejimbe pointed out that they are doing all they can to improve sensitization and awareness campaigns against non-communicable diseases, including cancer in Anambra state.
The state Coordinator of the Non-Communicable Disease, Mrs. Ada Ego among others were present during the briefing.
The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “Close the Care Gap”.