Routine Medical Checks Help Early Detection Of Cancer, Says Doctor

Routine medical check-ups help a lot in early detection and treatment of cancerous cells, the Plateau Commissioner for Health, Dr Fom Dakwak has said..

Dakwak told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that most cancer cases were usually detected at an advanced stage which makes its management difficult and expensive.

“Most people only come to the hospital or seek medical help when the cancerous tumour is at an advanced stage, but with routine checks, such cells can be detected on time.

“When such cells are detected on time, it can be effectively managed. When management begins early, the consequent complications that could result into death are averted,” he explained.

He said that the state government was creating awareness of the various types of cancers at the primary health centres to encourage rural dwellers to carry out routine checks.

“The health educators in the primary health centres now teach women how to check for lumps in their breasts because breast cancer is the commonest form of cancer found in women.

“If the lump is detected in time, it can be removed by mere surgery,” he said.

He said that it was far cheaper for individuals to go for regular check-ups which are the most effective way in detecting most of the cancerous cells in good time than its treatment and management at an advanced stage.

The commissioner advised both men and women to go for medical checkups twice in a year to keep fit.

“Regular checks help detect in men, if their prostrate specific antigen is high, if it is, further medical tests are conducted for its effective management.

“In women, pap smear tests are conducted to detect cervical cancer,” he said.