NPA organises cancer screening exercise for staff

Segun Oladipupo |

The Tincan Island Port Complex (TICPC) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Monday began medical screening exercise for its male employees above forty years old.

The exercise which is expected to be weeklong, kicked off on Monday with the aim of early detection of cancer in male workers for easy management or outright cure.

Dr. Chidi Ebere Ndukwe Ogo, Chief Consultant, Neurologist of the Federal Medical Centre who spoke with newsmen on the sideline of the programme, said that the exercise was targeted at men with age limit between forty and above.

Dr. Ogo commended management of NPA for taking the health issue of its staff seriously adding that such gesture would help to ease out threat of cancer among the staff.

He explained that the gland is common among men which usually develops into cancer, adding that one in every six men has the risk of developing prostate in their life time.

He noted that the ailment is common among Nigerian men but could be cured if detected early enough and right treatment administered.

His words, “One of the ways to detect it early here is what NPA is doing for its staff, which is called screening.

He noted that the screening exercise is about asking questions from the staff and taking their blood sample for further test.

He said, “We use the minimum of forty years old because below that age bracket, it is assumed that it is almost non-existent.

He said the process is aimed at estimating the risk of the cancer, pointing out that the turnout of personnel from the Tin Can Island Port Complex has been encouraging.

The medical expert said that the interaction between the doctor and individuals involved would be highly confidential based on the outcome of the result.

Asked about the possible symptoms, he said anyone who notices frequent urination at night, experiences break in urination and anyone who cannot hold urine for long is likely to be at risk of prostate cancer.

Dr. Ogo warned against too much intake of red meat; excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarette smoking.

He added that a minimum of fifty staff are expected to be screened per day to be able to cover the staff of the complex.