My fellow Nigerians. It’s time we had a serious conversation about a topic that affects each and every one of us – cancer screening. I’m talking about a silent killer that is taking the lives of far too many of our loved ones because we are too afraid, too ignorant, and too reliant on religion to take the necessary steps to detect and treat it early.
Now, I get it. We are a deeply religious people, and our faith is a significant part of who we are. But let me tell you something – cancer doesn’t care how many prayers you say, how many candles you light, or how many times you visit your place of worship. Cancer is a ruthless disease that can strike anyone, at any time, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Ifeoma Okoye, an emeritus professor of radiology, has identified what she calls the “It’s not my portion” syndrome as a major factor preventing many Nigerians from undergoing cancer screening early. This mindset, rooted in religious beliefs, ignorance, and denial, is causing late hospital presentations and driving high mortality rates for cancer patients in our country.
We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that cancer will not affect us. The World Health Organization reports that cancer accounted for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2020, and the numbers are only rising, especially among young people aged 15 to 29. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Nigeria, followed by breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. These statistics should scare you, BWS tribe. They should wake you up to the reality that cancer is not something we can afford to ignore.
And yet, despite the alarming rise in cancer cases, many of us still refuse to undergo screening. We procrastinate, we let superstitions and fear get the better of us, and we turn to prayer homes and traditional healers instead of seeking proper medical attention. This has to stop. We must take responsibility for our health and the health of our loved ones by prioritizing early detection and treatment.
Screening is a critical tool in the fight against cancer. It allows doctors to detect early lesions that may indicate the presence of cancer, giving patients a fighting chance at survival. But screening requires awareness, education, and a willingness to confront the harsh realities of this disease. We cannot continue to live in denial or believe that cancer is “not my portion.” Cancer does not discriminate, BWS tribe. It can affect anyone, regardless of their faith, their age, or their social status.
It’s time for us to wake up, to educate ourselves, and to take action. We must stop depending on religion to protect us from diseases like cancer. We must seek out proper medical care, undergo regular screening, and take proactive steps to protect our health. The survival rates for cancer are much higher in high-income countries because people there take their health seriously. It’s time for us to do the same.
Let’s come together as a nation and fight back against cancer. Let’s break free from the shackles of superstition and fear and embrace a future where early detection and treatment are our best weapons. It’s time to take control of our health and our future. The time for change is now. Let’s make it happen, my fellow Nigerians. Let’s save lives and defeat cancer once and for all.
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Cancer doesn't care how many prayers you say, how many candles you light, or how many times you visit your place of worship. Cancer is a ruthless disease that can strike anyone, at any time, regardless of their religious beliefs.
