CANCER: All You Need To Know About This Killer Disease - Causes, Symptoms, Prevention And Treatment

  Cancer is a disease that knows no boundary when it assails. See how prevention, early detection and treatment are important in ending the disease.

Bisola Oliyide, a 23-year old undergraduate, was taught by her mother to do self-breast examination (SBE) after her monthly menstrual period. On an occasion of doing the routine, she detected a lump. She informed her mother, who took her to a teaching hospital. The lump was extracted. And further investigation revealed that it was benign.

She could be said to be lucky because not many people end up that way. The disease does not know class. It affects everybody. The illiterate. The rich. The poor. The powerful. The not so powerful. The mighty. The influential. It attacks, maims and spares no one.

But there are survivors. Cancer can be treated. And not be allowed to kill. Prof Olukemi Odukoya, Pharmagonosy Department, College of Medicne, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi Araba is a survivor.

The list of prominent Nigerians whose lives are being cut short by cancer is increasing by the day. Wife of former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), Mariam Babangida, died of ovarian cancer at the age of 61 In Los Angeles. Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka also died of breast cancer.

Cassandra Gabriel, popularly known as Sisi Caro, died of breast cancer. Likewise 48-year old Roseline Ogbemudia, wife of the eldest son of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, the former governor of Edo State; popular socialite and sister of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Evangelist Bimpe Oluwayose-Sorinolu. Roseline and Bimpe both battled breast cancer till death. While the former died in a hospital in India, the latter, who had been treating the ailment since 2011, died in a London hospital.

Clara, wife of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State also died of cancer on 8 December, 2010, eleven days to her daughter’s wedding. Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, battled the ailment for five years; also 51-year old Remi Osholake, a fashion designer popularly known as Remi Lagos, and Sam Ojebode, an ex-Green Eagles star, died after battle with cancer.

Another Nollywood personality, who also succumbed to cancer last year, was Taiwo Bello, a movie producer and director who co-wrote the movie, Jenifa, with Funke Akindele and produced and directed the 2010 movie, Omije Mi.