Obasanjo urges regular health screening to tackle cancer

Mr Erik Nwagwu, founder of the Lagos to the World Expedition and former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the flag off of the world expedition in Abeokuta at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Sunday. Credit: Taiwo Bankole

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday reiterated the need for Nigerians to undergo regular medical check-ups and screening to ensure the early detection and management of ailments such as cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases that pose a threat to healthy living. Obasanjo made the call in Abeokuta while flagging off the “Lagos to the World Expedition”, an initiative aimed at creating awareness about prostate cancer. The “Lagos to the World Expedition” is an initiative of Nigerian entrepreneur and BMW enthusiast, Erik Nwagwu, who lost both his mother and sister to cancer and has dedicated the expedition to their memory and the fight against the disease. Performing the flag-off with a ride in a BMW car at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Obasanjo commended the organiser of the expedition for choosing an initiative that would benefit humanity in honouring the memory of his mother and sister. Narrating his experience, Obasanjo said, “Most diseases that are not curable are manageable. I have a disease that is not curable, and that is diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetes more than 40 years ago, and I still manage it. “The walk from here to the front of the building, I was still able to do it. But what do I do? I play squash three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — if I am around. I also watch what I eat. Diet can be exciting and pleasurable, but if you eat badly, then the consequence can also be bad. “One other important thing is rest. When I must rest, I will rest. Diet, rest and exercise are very, very important. And then, that’s what I call DREMS, meaning Diet, Rest, Exercise, Medical and Social interactions. “Regular medical checks must be prioritised. If tests show early symptoms, they can be treated and dealt with. But, of course, again, the cost of carrying out the tests means some people don’t even take medical examinations seriously. “But once you are becoming what I call a senior citizen, not an old man or an old woman, a senior citizen — and that starts from about the age of 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and then 85 — you have to take medical tests seriously.” Related News Chemstar reaffirms commitment to employee health, workplace safety Lifestyle medicine can reverse diabetes, hypertension — Physicians Aproko doctor warns Nigerians against consumption of spoiled t