To commemorate World Cancer Day 2024, the Kasham Girls Women Youth and Community Development Network (KGWYCDN) in collaboration with Community Education and Health Promotion Initiatives, Kano (CEHPI), organized a one-day stakeholders seminar on Monday.
The seminar aimed to foster insights into issues related to cancer causes, management, treatment, and diagnosis.
ClockwiseReports reports that the event, held in Kano, featured a panel discussion hosted by the Executive Director of CEHPI, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Hassan.
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He said, “The objective was to generate a fruitful discussion leading to the development of a communique that could be submitted to the government for decision-making on cancer management in Kano State and Nigeria at large.”
The panelists, aligned with the theme “CLOSE THE CARE GAP,” discussed advancements in cancer treatment and the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in creating a cancer-free world.
The panelists were Dr. Muhammad Inuwa Mustapha, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist from Aminu Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Scientist Aisha Abubakar Jubril, a Medical Lab Scientist from NSIA, Kano Diagnostic Centre; and Nurse Umar Abdullahi Muhammad, an Oncology Nurse.
Dr. Muhammad Inuwa Mustapha, represented by Dr. Abba, defined cancer as a devastating disease characterized by abnormal and uncontrollable growth of normal cells in the human body. He emphasized the importance of early detection for effective management.
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Scientist Aisha Abubakar Jubril expressed concern about the lack of awareness about the role of Lab Scientists in cancer diagnosis. She stressed the need for education to encourage people to undergo tests for early detection, citing specialized lab equipment capable of detecting cancer substances in blood samples.
She explained that the detection of tumor markers in blood samples would allow the specialized lab equipment to reveal crucial information about the stage, type, and aggressiveness of cancer.
Nurse Umar Abdullahi Muhammad focused on the stages of cancer, emphasizing that early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. He enumerated potential symptoms, including lumps, changes in bowel or bladder habits, slow healing of wounds, unusual bleeding, and swelling of skin, among others.
He noted that while cancer is curable at stages 1 and 2, detection at stages 3 and 4 presents challenges.
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The presenters discussed risk factors, with a focus on occupational exposure. They highlighted factors such as the use of chemicals in farming and lack of protective measures in certain professions, such as fuel attendants, garbage collectors, radiation rays for Radiographers, etc.
The dialogue concluded with resolutions to “CLOSE THE CARE GAP” by the end of 2024. Recommendations included CSOs advocating for more resources, supporting early detection programs, creating support groups for cancer patients, and engaging in social media campaigns.
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In her closing remarks, Mrs. Dinatu Dama Maji, the Executive Director of KASHAM, expressed gratitude to the panelists for shedding light on cancer-related aspects.
She urged collaboration between health workers and CSOs, emphasizing the importance of media engagement to bridge educational gaps and dispel misinformation about cancer.
Maji revealed that KASHAM, along with five other organizations in Kano State, has been selected to become members of the Nigeria Cancer Society Association, further solidifying their commitment to combating cancer.