NBA Women Forum Uses Awka Walk To Promote Cancer Prevention, Early Detection

NBA Women Forum Uses Awka Walk to Promote Cancer Prevention, Early Detection

From Seun Miracle 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Women Forum, Anambra State Chapter, has called for greater public awareness of cancer and increased attention to early detection, regular medical checks and healthy living.

The forum made the call during a health awareness walk in Awka, which brought members of the legal community together to sensitise the public to cancer risks and the importance of taking preventive healthcare seriously.

The Branch Facilitator of the NBA Women Forum, Awka Branch, Obianuju Nwakpadolu, said the campaign was intended to encourage people to seek medical checks early rather than wait until they developed symptoms.

“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 noted that good health was essential to professional productivity, particularly for lawyers whose demanding schedules could cause them to overlook their personal well-being.

“For us at NBA Women Forum, for us to have a thriving practice as a lawyer, our health is equally very, very important,” she added.

She urged women to improve their knowledge of breast and cervical cancers and take advantage of appropriate screening services. She also highlighted the importance of awareness of prostate and colon cancers among men.

Nwakpadolu further debunked the misconception that women with larger breasts were more likely to develop breast cancer 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.

To encourage women to take practical steps towards protecting their health, the facilitator announced plans for free cervical cancer screening for female lawyers the following Saturday. She also urged the government to do more to improve access to cancer screening and related healthcare services.

The Chairman of the NBA, Awka Branch, Nnamdi Raphael Anagor, said the campaign also sought to draw attention to men's health, particularly prostate 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 said men needed to understand the importance of the prostate gland and pay closer attention to their health.

“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 encouraged Nigerians to make physical exercise part of their daily routines, describing it as an important aspect of healthy living.

“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 awareness walk followed health talks and lectures organised by the forum the previous Saturday and formed part of its efforts to promote cancer education and encourage people to seek appropriate medical advice.

October is widely recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, during which campaigns seek to improve public understanding of the disease, encourage early detection and promote access to screening and treatment.