A medical practitioner says a higher percentage of men exposed to high risk of prostate enlargement at 40 years of age and above which often leads to prostate cancer.
This submission was made by a prostate specialist, Dr. Chidiebere Ogo, brought this to the fore while delivering a lecture at an awareness campaign jointly organised by Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and Applied Informatics and Communication, Africa Centre of Excellence CAPLC-ACE of the Covenant University, Ota, held at the council secretariat.
Dr. Ogo said over 45 percent of men were unaware of the risk of prostate cancer, noting that lack of orientation and an unhealthy way of life have worsened situations, which might not be controlled, and later form tumors.
He emphasised sensitisation and early detection as the keys to living a prostate cancer-free life, Ogo said the disease was not easily detectable as it begins with no serious symptoms.
The medical expert listed some of the risk factors that could trigger prostate cancer in men including age, race or ethnicity, hormone level, poor intake of balanced diet especially excessive intake of red meat, and dairy foods, poor exercise, low intake of fruits, and many more.
According to him some of the symptoms to look out for include frequent urination, difficulties in starting or stopping urination, painful ejaculation, and blood in urine or semen among others, advising men to visit the nearest hospital for check-ups on Prostate Specific Antigens (PSA) and to avoid herbal treatments that could further worsen the situation.
On his part, the Chairman, Ado-Odo/Ota LG, Engr. Sheriff Musa hailed the commitment of Covenant University to promoting life-saving health programmes, acknowledging the benefits of prostate cancer awareness campaigns as it would help men and community leaders to know the danger it poses.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiatives Committee (CU-CDIIC), Prof. Tayo George, stated that the University was lending its support to the development and wellbeing of Ota communities and its environs.
Prof. George highlighted some of the initiative programmes of Covenant University in the council area including the provision of boreholes for markets, distribution of transformers to various communities, renovation of Iju Health Clinic, and youth empowerment among others.
Speaking on behalf of the Community Development Chairmen, the Chairman, Pavilion Estate, Elder Kayode Ajibose, commended the organisers, saying the orientation would help men in various communities to be well-informed on prostate cancer.