Cancer Day: Helpline harps on awareness, treatment affordability

By Stanley Onyekwere

As the world marks the 2022 international day for cancer, a non government organisation based in the nation’s capital, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has harped on awareness and power of knowledge as the best means in reducing the global impact of the killer disease.  

The group also make case for the affordability of the treatment of the disease by all tiers of government, as cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally.  

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja as part of activities to mark 2022 Cancer Day, Communication Assistant of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Ms. Cecilia Kadiri, called on governments, Civil Society Organisations, and spirited individuals to make facilities available for regular testing and treatment.  

Kadiri said the advocacy was being guided by this year’s theme; “Close the Care Gap”, stressing that the cancer community would make its voice heard on a global scale, generate enthusiasm, raise awareness about the need to close the gap in cancer care and make sure that everyone has equitable access to life saving services.  

She, however, commended the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), for inspiring greater awareness of cancer and action in better prevention, detection and treatment of the disease.  

According to her, “our call for greater awareness is anchored on 2022 theme; “Close the care gap”. We need more awareness from governments at all levels, CSOs and individuals. Government should make facilities available for regular and compulsory testing yearly and treatment should be affordable.  

“The natural remedies should be promoted and encouraged too especially those plants certified by scientists. We know that every single one of us has the ability to make a difference, large or small, and that together we can make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer. 

“Close the care gap, is about identifying and addressing the barriers that exist for many people around the world in accessing the care they need”.  

Recall that the World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration.