A Lagos-based medical practitioner, Dr Ola Idris has emphasised the importance of paying attention to preventive measures, which are often neglected, to reduce the cancer scourge.

These preventive measures include lifestyle modification, diet and environmental factors.

Dr Idris was speaking at the 5th year memorial in honour of Late Mrs Oluwayemisi Ayinke Joel Osebor, and launching of Legacy Fund for Life Impact Foundation International (LIFI), which was held at NECA Hall, Alausa, Ikeja.

Dr Idris who has been in the field of sensitising people on the awareness of cancer opined that avoiding it, and earlier detection still remains the solution for the deadly disease.

According to him, lifestyle factor includes lack of exercise, overweight and not sleeping enough. Adding that high intake of salt, fatty foods, sugar and red meat are risk factors.

On the environment factor, Idris said: “We are not living in an ideal environment. We get exposed to radiation, dangerous fumes from numerous generators around and uncontrolled burning of dumpsites. We have to control our environment if we must fight the cancer scourge,” he emphasised.

 “Cancer can be a genetic factor but most diseases don’t come up just because of genetic make-up but other environmental factors do bring them out and that awareness and educating of people on the need to get regular check-ups is important.

Idris advised all to regularly check their status to avoid needless death as a result of fully blown cancer.

“People must also work on their lifestyles to avoid some of these diseases. Breast cancer is curable but it depends on when it is detected, a lot of people have lived over 20years post-cancer treatment because it was detected and treated at an early stage. The biggest problem in this part of our world is that it is being detected late. If we can overcome late detection, our story about cancer will change.

In attendance, at the memorial event Late Mrs Joel Osebor, who died of breast cancer at the age of 42 in 2016, were family members, colleagues, church members and friends.

They all took turns to eulogise the legacy of the deceased.

Pastor Solomon Kpandei, who represented Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre, where Yemisi worshipped till she died, charged all to live a life of impact, as people can only remember legacies one lives behind after one is dead.

“People remember you for the problems you created or the ones you solved. What problems are you creating and which are you solving?” He asked.

“Life is like a vapour, whatever you need to do, do it now.

“The scourge of cancer is one we should all rise against because we do not know who it will affect next. As an individual, what are you doing to prevent it personally and even as it affects societyt at large? Are you one of those who throws bins anywhere and do not bother how it affects your neighbours’ health? Pay attention to what you are doing to impact others.” Kpandei said.

Joel Osebor, husband of late Oluwayemi in his emotional tribute to his wife described her as a virtuous woman who always made sure she achieved her goals.

“My wife was a woman of vision, she was selfless and lived a sacrificial life. She was very passionate about this fight against cancer and we want to keep her legacy on with the launch of the foundation.

“With God helping me, I will ensure that her legacy on protecting every woman against deadly cancer will be fulfilled and that is why I am calling on well-meaning people to join hands together with me and the team of LIFI to ensure that we keep the cause going.

“Yemisi lived her life like she knew it was not going to be long and she ensured that she was able to put us in a place where we will be fine even after she had gone to rest. It’s been five years that she has gone and it’s not been easy without her but God has been helping us to live through.”

Also speaking at the event, a long-term friend and a volunteer colleague of late Yemisi, Gbemi Agbato described her as someone who lived like she knew her time on earth was short.

“Yemisi was the light of the world, salt of the world and city set upon the hill. She was able to show the world the reality of God in our midst. She empowered women in need and she was a trailblazer.”