The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Women Forum, Anambra State Chapter, has called on Nigerians to prioritise cancer awareness, early detection and preventive healthcare to improve health outcomes and reduce the risks associated with late diagnosis.
The call was made during a health awareness walk in Awka, where members of the legal community emphasised the importance of regular medical check-ups, physical exercise and access to reliable information on cancer prevention and treatment.
The walk formed part of the NBA Women Forum’s activities to promote cancer education and encourage members of the public to take proactive steps towards protecting their health.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with campaigns worldwide focusing on public education, early detection, screening and access to appropriate treatment.
Speaking during the event, the Branch Facilitator of the NBA Women Forum, Awka Branch, Obianuju Nwakpadolu, said the campaign was designed to encourage people to undergo regular medical checks and take their health seriously.
“This is our cancer awareness month—it’s all over the nation. And part of our activity at NBA Women Forum is to let us know the importance of getting ourselves checked early. Like they always say, early detection leads to early treatment,” she said.
Nwakpadolu stressed that good health was essential to professional effectiveness, urging lawyers not to allow the demands of their careers to prevent them from seeking medical attention.
“For us at NBA Women Forum, to have a thriving practice as a lawyer, our health is equally very, very important,” she added.
She encouraged women to improve their knowledge of breast and cervical cancers and seek appropriate screening services.
She also called for greater awareness of other cancers, including prostate and colorectal cancers, which affect men.
Addressing misconceptions about breast cancer, Nwakpadolu dismissed claims that women with larger breasts were more likely to develop the disease than those with smaller breasts.
“There’s this myth people always hold on to: that people with big breasts are prone to breast cancer than people with smaller breasts. It’s not true. It’s a fallacy. It is not proven medically, and it is not true,” she said.
As part of the forum’s commitment to promoting early detection, she announced plans to provide free cervical cancer screening for female lawyers the following Saturday.
She also urged the government to strengthen efforts to make cancer screening and other essential healthcare services more accessible to the public.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NBA, Awka Branch, Nnamdi Raphael Anagor, said the awareness campaign provided an opportunity to educate both men and women on cancer prevention and the importance of maintaining good health.
“This is Cancer Awareness Month, and part of what we are doing here is to commemorate the week. We started long ago from last Saturday with talks and lectures, and today we are continuing with a health fitness walk for the same purpose,” he said.
Anagor urged men to pay closer attention to their prostate health and consult qualified healthcare professionals about appropriate screening options.
“Most importantly, with us men, every man, every living man has a prostate gland, and that is what we want all of us to know and be conscious of,” he said.
He further encouraged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles, highlighting physical activity as an important component of overall well-being.
“Exercise is key. It reduces the chances of getting cancer both in male and female. So we encourage all and sundry to engage in walk. Very important,” Anagor said.
The NBA Women Forum’s awareness campaign underscores the importance of sustained public education, preventive healthcare and timely medical consultation in the fight against cancer.
