DICKSON URGES NIGERIANS TO TEST FOR CANCER

By Innocent Imoh
                                                           


The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Hourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Nigerians to carry out medical tests for early detection of cancer.

Governor Dickson urged Bayelsans and indeed Nigerians to exploit the opportunity of the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre established by his administration to test for cancer.

The Governor made the comment while speaking at a special state thanksgiving service held for the repose of the soul of his late mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson at the Palace of Melchizedek in Toru Orua on Sunday.

He said that while it was important for men over the age of 40 to test for prostrate cancer, their female counterparts should go for breast cancer screening.

The Governor said that he would devote attention to the campaign against the spread of cancer as a way of halting its spread in the society.

He stressed that the death of his mother who did not smoke even a stick of cigarette suffered from lung cancer only shows how important it was for people to be screened for early detection of the disease.

He said that his mother’s death had made him to take a decision to spearhead the campaign against cancar and its spread.

He said that the Dickson family had also decided to establish a cancer awareness centre designed to promote early detection of the deadly disease through free screening programmes.

He said, “Seeing the way cancer ravages people, my family and I want to establish a cancer awareness centre because early detection of the disease is crucial.

“Go and do your screening. Don’t joke with the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre. I will use every platform to talk against cancer. My mother was diagnosed at the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre.

“Seeing what lung cancer did to my mother who did not hold even a stick of cigarette, my brothers and I have been converted to crusaders against cancers.

“We have to work together to prevent cancer related deaths.”

He said that his mother left the ancient traditional religion of her ancestor to became a good practicing Christian before her death.

He stressed that his late mother was given all the care, love and respect the children could give and wouldn’t have died if it was preventable.