A health and social welfare care focused non governmental organization, the Oyenike Oyekan foundation known as Oye2foundation today in Ibadan the Oyo State capital held a sensitization workshop on prostate and cervical cancer for market men and women at Bodija market in Oyo State.
The workshop which was well attended by the leadership and members of the various foodstuffs groups in the market, also had in attendance, representatives from the Oyo State ministry of health led by Mrs. Christiana Adedeji the chief desk officer on non communicable disease and her colleagues, the vice chairman of the foodstuffs sellers association alhaji Saheed Adeoye, the PRO alhaji Sulaimon Ileomo and other executive committee members, Mrs Folashade Adegbenjo a cancer survivor among several other persons.
The Oye2foundation after welcoming the market men and women and other guests to the sensitization workshop through it’s programme coordinator Miss Precious Fasiku, made a presentation by Nelson Ekujumi on prostate cancer, causes, symptoms and how to prevent it, with emphasis on the fact that early detection as a critical step to overcoming it.
The audience were educated on the fact that cancer is not a death sentence and is not contagious, but a product of factors which includes hereditary as well as our lifestyle. The traders were admonished that whenever they observe any of the listed symptoms of cancer, that the most appropriate thing to do, was to go to the hospital to be examined to determine their state of health rather than resorting to self medication which is dangerous.
The Oye2foundation made it known to the gathering that cancer awareness and knowing what to do, is critical to the fight against it and that cancer cannot be contacted through spiritual attacks or curses.
On her own part Mrs. Christiana Adedeji the chief desk officer on communicable disease of the Oyo State ministry of health made a presentation on cervical cancer, where she highlighted the symptoms of the disease and how early detection by visiting the hospital for assessment is crucial to saving lives. She admonished the audience to visit public hospitals for regular check up, live a healthy lifestyle, eat fruits, engage in exercise and not assume when symptoms develop.
Mrs. Christiana Adedeji also emphasized that cancer infection is not a death sentence, but an illness which if detected early and treated appropriately, could result in the survival of the victim. She advised the traders not to be penny wise and pound foolish, by shunning hospitals for regular check up because of cost which is inconsequential compared to the cost of treatment.
Mrs Folashade Adegbenjo a breast cancer survivor also educated the traders on her survival as a cancer victim because it was detected early. She cautioned the audience to take the issue of cancer very serious and not assume anything when it comes to the matter of health. She spoke of her travails with cancer treatment from August 2022 to June 2023 when she was given a clean bill of health.
In the course of the engagement, some of the traders asked a number thought provoking questions which were well addressed by the presenters and the cancer survivor also joined to shed more light on the issue of discussion.
A cancer patient spoke out and sought the assistance of the Oye2foundation on her plight, of which the foundation promised to assist her with referrals to the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan for assessment and follow up.
