The chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr Chiedu Ebie has called for urgent measures to curb the cancer mortality in Africa which was projected to reach about one million per year by 2030.
The NDDC boss who said early screening and detection are vital to saving lives, spoke at an event to mark the 2024 World Cancer Day held at the Ladyoak Cancer Care Centre, Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State, lamenting that the figure shows the rising trends in breast and cervical cancer amongst women and the girl-child.
Ebie who was represented by his special assistant, Dr Godwin Edozie said in Africa alone, the incidence of various types of cancer is disheartening, pointing out that in 2020, more than a million new cancer cases were recorded in the continent with about 700,000 deaths.
He lamented that cancer is a monster disease that has claimed the lives of millions of persons the world over including women and children.
According to him, about 50 per cent of new cancer cases in adults are due to breast, cervical, prostate and liver cancer amongst others but maintained that the Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd is focusing on the breast and cervical cancer.
A keynote speaker at the event, Dr Roy Maduka explained that cervical cancer is predominant in the less developed nations, urging women to shun smoking and alcohol intake.
The event which was put together by the NDDC in collaboration with the Gilbert Hill Resources Limited, featured free breast and cervical cancer screening for participants, who were majorly women.
