Some Muslim women on Sunday expressed love and care to one another to mark the annual Ummahaat (married women’s) Day.
The event, organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Unit, included enlightenment on cancer prevention and treatment.
The event, held at Yaba College of Technology , Lagos State, had the theme: “Seasons and Anchors”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a team of medical experts enlightened participants on early cancer detection, management and treatment.
Participants had an opportunity to hear from an oncologist and a cancer survivor.
The prevalence of the disease, especially in Africa, has become a huge concern to governments, individuals and organisations.
The guest lecturer and oncologist, Dr Balikis Mabadeje, said that upsurge of the disease and its increased human casualty index in the developing world, had become worrisome.
According to her, many people are unconscious of the risk factors.
“Use of contraceptives is a common cause of cancer in women. Pills contain agents that have the capacity to trigger a cancerous body system.
“An improperly-treated infection can inhibit the body system and cause hormonal disorder that can lead to cancer.
“Early and late menstrual periods can pre-dispose one to cancer.
“A girl that starts seeing her period before age 12 and a lady that, at age 62 still sees her monthly cycle, stand the risk of having cancer,” she said.
The expert said that massive body weight should be discouraged, adding that such should be reduced through light exercises in order to prevent one from being prone to cancer.
She advised women to embrace routine check-up for early detection and treatment of cancer.
She decried stigmatisation on cancer patients, saying that showing care and love to them would go a long way in helping them to recover.
A cancer survivour, Hajia Adekoya Meslimat-Olamide, said that adherence to prescribed medication was important to survival.
Meslimat-Olamide encouraged women to maintain good life-styles.
She added that adequate relaxation and light exercises were helpful.
