Kunle Adelabu
The annual World Cancer Day took a new turn for the Alpha Galleon as the social and developmental group commemorated it by honouring one of its members, Lekan Fasule, who died of cancer over five years ago.
Members of the group from eight Frigates (branches) of the Alpha Galleon last Friday in their awareness campaign occupied strategic locations in different parts of the Lagos to raise more awareness about the deadly disease
The campaign was tagged, ‘Lekan Fasule Cancer Day’ with participants from Balearic and Santorini Frigates stationed at the Ozumba Mbadiwe (Law School/Oriental) while members from Atlanta and Tortuga Frigate were at Maryland.
At the Apple Junction (Festac) were members from Benija Frigate and Barbados Frigate while those from the Santiago and Tasmania Frigates occupied Ikeja axis
Alpha Galleon World Cancer Day this year takes a new turn with its change of Narrative to one of our member who died of Cancers “Lekan Fasule Cancer Day” in memory of Late Lekan Fasule Of Santiago Frigate.
Lectures on ‘Cancer and its dangers’ and ‘Prevention and Management of Cancer’ was delivered by Dr Oriafo Otaigbe, Medical Consultant, Mary the Queen Hospital and Pharm Akagbusi Lazarus Chukwudi (MPSN, FISL, MBA) respectively.
Chairman, Alpha Galleon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee, Comrade Lekan ‘Rado’ Pelumi speaking with THE IMPACT said that members of the group across the state were stationed in strategic locations to raise awareness in marking the 2022 World Cancer Day.
“We activated public sightings at four locations across Alpha Galleon (Lagos State) and each location will was driven by a combination Frigates .
“On the Cancer Day t-shirts and nanners to members of the teams at every locations to create awareness about the disease” he said.
“We also have participants at each locations to wear the t-shirts with Alphabet combinations of CANCER DAY to stand still together in their locations and create a sublime effect., after which all participants later converge for the Lekan Fasule World Cancer Day lecture at Santiago Frigate by 1.00pm same day.
Pharm. Chukwudi, one of the lecturers speaking said that Cancer is a very serious and dangerous development of tumor.
While he stated that symptoms for the disease is very difficult to know at early stage, he advocated for regular screening for prostate cancer
In rare cases, the lecturer said that symptoms of the deadly disease are difficulty having erection (Impotence), painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, pressure or pain in the rectum and pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis or thighs.
Chukwudi said that the riskof geeting prostate cancer increases with age, especially from age 50 as around 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in people who are 65 or older.
He also said Black men in US and other men of African ancestry are diagnosed with Prostate cancer more than men of other race.
Although, he said that there’s no proven prostate cancer prevention strategy, but also added that the risk of the disease may be reduce by making healthy choices as exercising and eating a healthy diet.
He suggested good diet with low fat and consumption of more vegetables and fruits, maintaining good healthy weight and exercise among others.
The guest lecturer also listed treatment for cancer to include:
“Active surveillance through observation and regular monitoring without invasive treatment. In the context of prostate disease this usually comprises regular PSA blood tests” he said
Other methods of treatment listed are Surgery, Radiation therapy, Cryosurgery, Hormonal therapy and Chemotherapy, or some combination.
The National President of the group, Mr Abayomi Adejonwo was represented by the national 1st Provost Marshal, Mr Olumide Abikoye at the awareness campaign.
Other chieftains at the event are Mr IK Ezekwelu, Chairman Alpha Galleon, Mr. Oyindamola Pedro, Publicity Secretary and Dr Maurice Etukudoh, Secretary Alpha Galleon Health Committee among others.
