A non-profit organisation, Akanimo Cancer Foundation, has cautioned parents against smoking or letting people smoke around their children as such predisposes the children to cancer.
The warning comes on the heels of International Childhood Cancer Day, (ICCD) marked every February 15,
The group also advised parents to ensure that their girl children get the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, HPV and medical checkups for all family members to reduce the high incidence of childhood cancer.
Speaking in Uyo, shortly after a cancer walk, Emem Mendie of the Akanimo Foundation regretted the ignorance and poor awareness of childhood cancer among parents, noting that the fastest way to cure cancer is early detection, prompt medical care and widespread awareness.
She, therefore called for collaborative funding for cancer patients, saying, “There is a huge need for the acknowledgement of this reality (Cancer). It should be known that cancer is a disease, it can be treated and it can be cured especially in children because if people do not even believe it is a disease, how will they show up for treatment? Every child deserves a chance to live life to its fullest.
“Parents should stop smoking or letting people smoke around their children, they should ensure to get HPV vaccines, yearly medical checkup for all family members and if in doubt, get a second opinion on medical examination.”
She also urged parents to look out for the following symptoms in their wards and seek medical attention immediately, “unusual persistent pain including headaches, long-lasting fevers, including low-grade fevers with or without vomiting, change of eye colour /whiteness of the eye, swelling in parts of the body that won’t go down, persistent constipation and/or bellyache, and persistent tiredness/fatigue.”
Also speaking on Childhood Cancer, a Pediatrician at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr Lovina Ekpo called on the Federal and State Governments to make budgetary provisions for cancer funding, especially for children, as the cost of treatment is far beyond the reach of a common Nigerian.
She also called on governments across levels to provide research grants in childhood cancer to assist Nigeria step up the survival rate among child victims in the country.
Ekpo advised parents to make hospitals their first point of contact if symptoms such as fever, bone pains, bleeding gum and others persist.
