World Cancer Day: NAWOJ urges North-Central Govs, FCT to act

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

In commemoration of the World Cancer Day, 2025, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Zone D, North Central, has called on the governments of North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to prioritize cancer care and prevention.

Speaking to mark the day, the NAWOJ’s National Vice President, Zone D, Chizoba Ogbeche, noted that cancer remains a significant public health challenge due to limited access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care tools and systems, which affects the masses, especially women.

Citing the World Health Organization’s WHO, statistics that an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths were reported globally in 2022, The Vice President Zone D, reiterated the need of prevention, early detection, and treatment.

“Projections predict an 87.5% increase in new cancer cases by 2050,” she added.

To address this challenge, Ogbeche tasked the state governments and the FCT administration to invest in improved screening, diagnosis, and access to cancer medication.

“This could be achieved by improving cancer prevention and screening through primary health care and strengthening cancer management through PHCs and community level care,” she said.

The NAWOJ vice president stressed that reducing the burden of cancer requires a mix of public health and health system interventions.

“Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying environmental and behavioral risk factors and infections,” she noted.

World Cancer Day: NAWOJ urges North-Central Govs, FCT to act

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

In commemoration of the World Cancer Day, 2025, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Zone D, North Central, has called on the governments of North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to prioritize cancer care and prevention.

Speaking to mark the day, the NAWOJ’s National Vice President, Zone D, Chizoba Ogbeche, noted that cancer remains a significant public health challenge due to limited access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care tools and systems, which affects the masses, especially women.

Citing the World Health Organization’s WHO, statistics that an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths were reported globally in 2022, The Vice President Zone D, reiterated the need of prevention, early detection, and treatment.

“Projections predict an 87.5% increase in new cancer cases by 2050,” she added.

To address this challenge, Ogbeche tasked the state governments and the FCT administration to invest in improved screening, diagnosis, and access to cancer medication.

“This could be achieved by improving cancer prevention and screening through primary health care and strengthening cancer management through PHCs and community level care,” she said.

The NAWOJ vice president stressed that reducing the burden of cancer requires a mix of public health and health system interventions.

“Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying environmental and behavioral risk factors and infections,” she noted.