1.3m Die of Lung Cancer Every Year Globally, Says Expert

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A medical expert with Haematology Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Mojisola Fasiku, has said that no fewer than 1.3 million persons die annually across the globe due to lung cancer infection.

Attributing high rate of the disease to smoking of cigarette and inhalation of allied substances, the medical expert also blamed the menace on indiscriminate use of firewood for cooking; a predominant practice among poor Nigerians.

Stating this at a seminar organised by Kwara State chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in conjunction with Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria in Ilorin recently, she said most of the victims of lung cancer inhale smoke from firewood cooking on account of ignorance of harm posed to their well-being.

While calling for the use of natural gas for cooking, she appealed to the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of the product and rather make kerosene more expensive in order to discourage people from making use of firewood for cooking.

Fasiku also tasked the National Assembly to legislate against new trend of smoking among youths, saying they are at the risk of being infected with cancer if not curtailed.

“Lung cancer is a major problem in our society today. 1.3million deaths are recorded from it worldwide annually. Those who cultivate smoking habit are susceptible to cancer of the lung.

“Apart from those who smoke, those who also make use of firewood while cooking are vulnerable to lung cancer. This is because while doing their cooking, they inhale so much smoke, but they will not know they are causing serious damage to their health.”

She identified breathing problem, constant chest pain, weight loss, bone pain, coughing up blood and headache as some of the signs and symptoms derived from lung cancer.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the state chapter of NAWOJ, Mrs. Binta Abubakar Mora, explained that cancer was a major problem, which has eaten deep into public health. She urged the people to eat right food to stave off the disease.