The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Women Forum, Onitsha Branch, has called for increased cancer awareness, regular health screening and prompt medical attention to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
The call was made during an awareness walk in Onitsha to mark Cancer Awareness Month, as members of the forum took the message to the streets, engaging residents on cancer warning signs, prevention and the importance of regular health checks.
The lawyers moved through the DMGS area, Ekene Junction and Awka Road, interacting with market women, motorists and passers-by to sensitise them on the need to prioritise their health.
The State Lead for the exercise, Amara Muojeke, said many people, including professionals, often devote so much time to meeting the needs of others that they neglect their own health.
She urged Nigerians to pay attention to unusual or persistent changes in their bodies and seek medical advice promptly.
Muojeke, who is also the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Anambra State, encouraged women to undergo recommended screening for breast and cervical cancers, noting that early detection could improve treatment outcomes.
She identified persistent bloating, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, breast lumps or unusual swelling, bleeding after menopause, difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine and persistent tiredness as symptoms that may require medical evaluation.
However, she cautioned that these symptoms do not necessarily indicate cancer, as they could also be associated with other health conditions, stressing the importance of professional medical assessment.
The Chairman of the NBA Onitsha Branch also urged lawyers and members of the public to take their health seriously, emphasising that cancer awareness and preventive healthcare should not be limited by age or gender.
Other coordinators of the NBA Women Forum from Ogbaru, Ihiala and Onitsha called for sustained public awareness, healthy living, appropriate screening and early medical intervention.
The awareness walk ended with a renewed appeal to residents to prioritise their wellbeing, seek professional medical advice when necessary and embrace early detection as an important step in the fight against cancer.
