From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Chairman, Chiedu Ebie, has described as disheartening cases of cancer in Africa.
Ebie said the monstrous disease has claimed millions of lives, including women and children in the continent.
He spoke while declaring open free breast and cervical cancer screening at the Central Hospital, Agbor, Delta State as part of activities marking the 2024 World Cancer Day. The event was organised by the interventionist agency in collaboration with the Gilbert Hill Resources Limited.
Represented by his Special Assistant, Godwin Edozie, Ebie made reference to staggering statistics of the debilitating ailments in Africa.
According to him, incidence of various types of cancer in Africa is disheartening, pointing out that in 2020, more than million new cancer cases were recorded in Africa with about 700,000 deaths.
He added that about 50 per cent of new cancer cases in adults are due to breast, cervical, prostate and liver cancer among others, maintaining that the Gilbert Hill Resources Limited was focusing on the breast and cervical cancer.
The NDDC chairman further called for urgent measures to curb the cancer mortality in the region which was projected to reach about one million per year by 2030.
Ebie, therefore, stressed the importance of the early detection and intervention, which, he said, is key to cancer treatment and management.
On his part, Roy Maduka, explained that cervical cancer is predominant in the less developed nations, urging women to shun smoking and alcohol intake.