The Osun State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, has appealed to residents of the state to take cancer prevention seriously by embracing early detection measures and ensuring fair access to treatment.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, the 4th of February, 2026, as part of activities lined up in Osun State to commemorate World Cancer Day 2026, which is observed globally every 4th of February.
In the statement released by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Bunmi Olaseinde, Adebiyi described cancer as a pressing health concern in Nigeria, pointing out that “cancer remained a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with many cases diagnosed at advanced stages due to low awareness, stigma, myths, and limited access to screening services.”
According to him, these challenges have continued to fuel the country’s alarming cancer mortality rate.
He noted that the yearly observance of World Cancer Day serves as a platform to “draw attention to the persistent cancer care gap and the urgent need for early action.”
Adebiyi further explained that cancer still represents a heavy health burden nationwide, largely because many patients delay seeking medical care until the illness has progressed, often due to poor knowledge and inadequate screening opportunities.
Emphasising the benefits of prompt diagnosis, he stated that early detection significantly increases survival chances, stressing that “cancer is not a death sentence when identified early and managed promptly through proper medical care.”
He also highlighted some of the most prevalent cancers in Nigeria, including “breast, cervical, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers, which can be managed more effectively when diagnosed in their early stages.”
The NOA also raised awareness about warning signs that should not be ignored, such as unexplained lumps, long-lasting pain, sudden weight loss, unusual bleeding, changes in the breast, persistent coughs, and wounds that fail to heal.
On prevention, the agency advised the public to “avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol intake, while maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity and appropriate body weight.”
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Adebiyi additionally encouraged citizens to guard against excessive exposure to sunlight and to utilise available vaccines for Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus, both of which are associated with certain forms of cancer.
Describing cancer prevention and treatment as a shared responsibility, he said, “Closing the care gap begins with awareness, compassion and timely action from individuals, families and institutions.”
The NOA called on Osun residents and Nigerians at large to make routine cancer screening a priority, seek reliable health information, and promote open conversations about cancer within their communities.
The agency reaffirmed its dedication to sustained public education, noting that a well-informed and healthy population remains vital to national growth and development.