A dietician, Esther Oyewole, on Wednesday in Abeokuta advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of adding fruits and vegetables to their diet or risk developing colon cancer.
Colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer.
Oyewole, an Assistant Chief Dietician at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, gave this advice while delivering a health talk.
She spoke on the topic ‘How To Eat Healthy,’ at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Ogun State chapter of Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP).
Oyewole stated that in Nigeria, an average of 66 out of every 100,000 people are living with colon cancer.
According to the dietician, having a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help ease bowel movements and prevent clogging of the foods in the colony.
“Its about eating healthy, especially for most of us that are 40 years and above.
“Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon, which is part of the gastrointestinal tract.
“In Nigeria, the current prevalence told us that 66 out of 100,000 are living with colon cancer.
“So, to counter and prevent this, we need to take a good amount of fruit and vegetables because we all know they ease bowel movement and prevent clogging of foods in the colon.
“Once fruits and water are taken frequently, they will go a long way in reducing colon cancer.”
She urged the town planners to have frequent check-ups, regardless of the current economic difficulties.
According to the dietician, colon cancer, like all other forms of cancer, usually shows signs which can include bleeding in women, appetite loss and weight loss.
In his remarks at the event, the former National President of NITP, Mr. Waheed Kadiri, appreciated the dietician for the lecture.
He said it was apt for town planners to have bad diet habit as a result of their busy schedule and work load.
Similarly, the state NITP chairman, Mr. Adefela Shogbesan, in his remarks asserted that town planners do a lot of work but often forget to create time to check their health.
He added that this formed a main concern and reason for organising the health talk and medical screening test.
NAN reports that no fewer than 150 Ogun NITP members were screened for eye problems and other medical issues.(NAN)
