By Daniels Ekugo
A health expert, Dr Omobolade Obadofin, has warned parents to keep a watch over their daughters, whom she said is at risk of having cancer or been infertile because of the trend in donating eggs for financial rewards to medical centres.
Omobolade gave the advice while speaking on Common Pathologies in Middle aged Women during a Health and Wellness Workshop held in Lagos and organized by the Network of Enterprising Women Nigeria (NEWN).
The goal of the workshop was to educate women in business as well as women in general of the importance of optimal health/wellness.
During the session, Dr Omobolade talked about the common diseases that lead to mortality in the middle aged years namely Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, ovarian Cancer and Uterine Cancer as well as hypertension and diabetes.
Her lecture bordered on the need to take preventive measures in order to avoid cancer proliferation via screening and other preventive measures available in each case. She iterated on the need to for women to take the time to go for medical checks when we they have familiar and/or unusual symptoms. Her lecture drove home the point of “a stitch in time saves nine”!
“Currently, Nigeria has no comprehensive cancer centre, and lacks adequate treatment facilities hence Nigerians are compelled to spend over $200 million annually on treatment abroad, often in India which has over 120 cancer centres, mostly established through non-governmental effort, with private sector support. Thousands of patients usually travel abroad for treatment at the end stage. Even for the rich who have the option of going abroad, they travel and still die. An average cancer patient, on regular screening, clinical assessment and chemotherapy, over the course of a year, may accumulate N5 million to N20 million or more in medical bills depending on the type of cancer, the type of treatment and where the treatment is being accessed.”
“Prevention consists of finding out what causes cancer and minimising those risks. In practice, this is easier said than done. In Nigeria, cancer is not covered by insurance; although some of the higher and comprehensive plans may offer limited coverage, no insurance company is ready to pay out the huge sums for the treatment and disability payments of cancer management every year.”
The Healthy living session taken by Dr Anne Olowu centered on adopting a healthy lifestyle. She focused on the three elements of healthy living – Healthy Eating, Exercise and Rest. She stressed that making a decision to be healthy is an active process and a choice. She spoke on how our eating and lifestyle habits take a toll on our health and overall wellbeing. Shereiterated that indeed “health is wealth”!
The final session taken by Dr Abajue was on modern Anti-aging procedures available for both men and women. She started by highlighting the basic steps of skin care and then ventured into the world of aesthetic skin care and modern procedures available that guarantee a youthful look. Some of the aesthetic procedures discussed include microdermabrasion, chemical peel, vampire facials and Botox injections to mention a few. The anti-aging session was indeed an eye opener!
Overall, the NEWN Health and Wellness workshop was enlightening and educative; it also made room for ample networking amongst the business women present.
Photo caption: Dr. Ifeoma Abajue Aesthetic Dermatologist, Dr. Omobalanle Obadofin, (Pathologist) and Ann Olowu Public Health Specialist at the Network of Enterprising Women Nigeria (NEWN) Health and Wellness Workshop held in Lagos.
