Cancer Screening:

Cigarette smokers told to beware of cancer

By Boris Esono in Buea

Cigarette smoking predisposes people to cancer

The prevalence of diseases such as Cancer in Africa and the world in general is the issue that has been on the minds of health technicians around the world. To this effect, the University of Buea in collaboration with the SINKAM Charles Foundation on Wednesday, 6 July 2016 organized a scientific conference dubbed “Innovation in early cancer screening; Case study: Lung and Prostrate Cancer” at the University of Buea.

                The conference saw the participation of the vice chancellor of UB, Prof NalovaLyonga, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, NgoweNgoweMarcelin, Registrar of UB Prof Roland NdipNdip, Deputy Vice Chancellor, students of various departments of UB, Journalists among others.

                Speaking during the event, the Dean of FHS, spoke on the dilemmas that are facing the public. “At times you have dilemmas but do not have the place to turn to”. “Certain things are glaring but we pretend not to see, such as market agencies labeling cigarettes that dangerous to your health but we still go purchasing it”. It is high time we take measures that will if not stop reduce the rate of people acquiring cancer in the country.

                On her part, Prof NalovaLyonga, VC, UB expressed her joy and privilege to have such as caliber of persons who has come to impart knowledge about prevailing diseases in our society to our youths. “It is my goal to have UB and the SINKAM foundation partner in the domain of health and to bring together resources that they have to achieve their goal which is reducing the rate of those with lung and prostate cancer in Cameroon”.

                In his opening address Prof Sinkam made mention of the fact that they plan to organize a diagnosis for the population in Cameroon at one (1) thousand Francs CFA, a much cheaper than its original price. “Cancer is a very common but complex and the treatment is very expensive” Prof Sinkam. Cancer has slowly become the number one disease being researched over the last few years in a time when researches in to diseases were limited to malaria, typhoid and others

                According to Prof Sinkam, the majority of deaths to Cancer occur in the developing countries such as South America, Africa and Asia. In 2012, six hundred and fifty thousand new cases of cancer and six hundred thousand deaths are witnessed according to official report made public.

                The majority of people who died in Africa and America have the tendency of going to the doctor ion the later stage of the disease. To him, the issue of cost, transportation, equipment, screening and preventing programs, infection control and access to health facilities significantly low in Africa, thus increasing the rate of those dying of Lung and Prostrate Cancer.

                After such a mind blowing presentation on the part of Prof Sinkam, he was awarded the title of a Visiting Lecturer to the University of Buea.