Arise o compatriots, Nigeria’s call obeys! Happy Independence Day Nigeria!
As a country, we’ve gone through hard times and cycles and most people have given up on this great nation. Despite the broken dreams and foggy future, my message to fellow Nigerians is to keep the faith and keep believing. I am optimistic and I know that our best is yet to come. I pray that God’s peace spreads over this country on this national holiday and always. Please pay attention as I am about to delve into a subject matter that concerns all women and men if I may add. Let’s talk about breast cancer. The world has chosen this month to create awareness about this type of cancer and I think that’s a fantastic idea.
While I am not a medical expert, I have made it my point of duty to familiarize myself with the possible causes, symptoms and preventive measures against this second leading cause of cancer death among women and I will share a few tips with you now. Statistics by the World Health Organization show that 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and 7.8 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.
Now, as scary and as sad as these statistics might look, what you know can make a huge difference and ultimately save the life of a friend or loved one. Research has shown that certain factors like obesity, constant use of alcohol and tobacco, family history of cancer, unhealthy diet and lifestyle, radiation exposure could increase the risk of breast cancer. Here is something that I also know, early detection is key. This is why self-examination must be done at least once a month. While early detection and self-examination are important, the right lifestyle choices should be made to reduce the risk of this disease.
Prolonged breastfeeding, regular physical activity, maintaining healthy body weight, little or no consumption of alcohol and tobacco amongst others are some of the important decisions you can make today. Remember, health is wealth. I will also leave you pondering on Anne Wilson Schaef’s quote which says “Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.”-
We are also celebrating the girl child this month. I was a girl child at some points, so were you. Look at us today! We have come a long way because someone believed in us. Now, I know it would be easy to join the bandwagon that thinks the noise we make about supporting the girl child in this part of the world has become too much.
Well, I could have agreed with them, if I was not female and African, but I know better. I am encouraging you to reach out to a girl child in your circle or community today. Become deliberate about mentoring her and helping her build an empowered future. I challenge you to become a worthy mentor, sister and friend to them. Help a girl child stand today.
Finally, as we step into the 4th and last quarter of the year, I encourage you to give that last and final push towards actualizing your dreams for the year. It’s not over. If you start working towards it today, there’s still so much you can achieve before 2022. Have a beautiful month and keep flourishing.
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