NBA Women Lawyers Take Cancer Awareness to Onitsha Streets, Urge Early Screening
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anambra State Branch, Women Forum, has taken the campaign for cancer awareness to the streets of Onitsha, urging Nigerians to prioritise regular screening, recognise warning signs and seek early medical attention.
The awareness walk, organised as part of activities marking Cancer Awareness Month in October, saw lawyers move from the NBA House through the DMGS area, Ekene Junction and Awka Road, sensitising market women, motorists and passers-by on cancer risks, symptoms and preventive measures.
The Chairman of the NBA Onitsha Branch commended the President of the Bar for initiating the sensitisation programme, describing it as an important step towards improving health awareness among lawyers and the wider public.
He also acknowledged the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Amara Muojeke Esq., who served as the state lead for the exercise, alongside other participants who contributed to the campaign.
He stressed that cancer awareness should not be limited by age or gender, urging lawyers to take personal health checks and appropriate cancer screening seriously rather than concentrating solely on the welfare of others.
Speaking during the exercise, Muojeke observed that lawyers often devote their time and energy to resolving other people’s problems while neglecting their own health. She urged them and members of the public to adopt a more proactive approach to personal well-being.
She emphasised that early detection can improve the chances of successful treatment, particularly encouraging women to undergo recommended breast and cervical cancer screening.
Muojeke identified persistent bloating, abdominal swelling, constipation, unexplained weight loss, breast lumps or unusual swelling, bleeding after menopause, difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine and persistent tiredness as symptoms that may require medical attention.
She clarified, however, that these symptoms do not automatically mean a person has cancer, as they may be associated with other medical conditions. She advised anyone experiencing persistent symptoms or unusual bodily changes to seek professional medical evaluation.
Coordinators of the NBA Women Forum from Ogbaru, Ihiala, Onitsha and other areas also called for a stronger culture of cancer awareness, encouraging both men and women to embrace healthy living, recommended screening and prompt medical care.
The campaign reinforced the importance of making cancer awareness a shared responsibility, with early detection and timely medical evaluation playing important roles in improving health outcomes.
