World Cancer Day: Avoid smoking, multiple partners – Radiologist advises female students

A Radiologist, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, has advised female students to abstain from smoking and keep one partner to avoid Cervical Cancer.

Okoye, the Director of the University of Nigeria, Center For Clinical Trials, gave the advice on Wednesday in Enugu while sensitising students of Queens School Enugu on “Contemporary Issues On Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention” to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day.

The cancer awareness outreach was organised by the Queens School Enugu Old Girls Association (QSEOGA), in collaboration with a Non Governmental Organization, Breast Without Spots (BWS).

9news Nigeria reports that World Cancer Day is globally observed every Feb. 4 and the 2026 theme is “United by Unique”.

The radiologist said that many cancers, especially breast and cervical cancers in women could be caught early, treated successfully, and even be prevented.

She added that girls aged from nine years to 18 years were the perfect age to learn about cancer now, ‘so you can stay healthy for life.”

Okoye, who is also an old girl of the school, described cervical cancer as a “big problem in Nigeria”.

According to her, almost all cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus).

“It takes many years for HPV to turn into cancer, so it usually shows up in women 30 years to 50 years and above

“But girls, your age can prevent it completely, ” she said.

Okoye, who is also the Head of Radiology Department, UNTH, Enugu, said that the HPV vaccine protected against the dangerous types of HPV that caused up to 90 per cent of cervical cancers.

She said: “In Nigeria, the government gives this vaccine free to girls from nine years to 14 years.

“It’s safe, quick, and one of the best ways to stop cervical cancer forever, ” Okoye said.

She advised the students to abstain from certain risk behaviours such as smoking and keeping multiple partners while growing up.

“For you now, prevention is everything!

“Get the HPV vaccine, if you’re in the age group (9–14 ideally); talk to your parents or school nurse.

“It’s cancer prevention in two or three shots, ” she said.

The professor also advised the students to eat good food, play sports, avoid smoking or too much alcohol when growing up.

“No fear, just action, these cancers are scary to hear about, but knowledge takes away the fear”.

Speaking, Mrs Maureen Atuonwu, the Enugu State President of Queens old girls, said they decided to partner with the BWS due to the devastating effect of cancer in Nigeria.

Atuonwu regretted that she lost her 20-year-old undergraduate daughter few years ago to cancer due to lack of knowledge and awareness on the early detection and prevention.

“If I have had this kind of knowledge, my daughter would have lived,” she said.

She told the students to take advantage of the tutorials to better their lives and loved ones.

In her remarks, the National Secretary of QSEOGA, Dr Amaka Orji, said the awareness was initiated by the national body of the association to sensitise students on cancer prevention and treatment.

Orji thanked the BWS led by Prof Okoye, the school authorities and students for participating in the programme and urged the students to take advantage of the training.

The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Seniorita Okoroafor, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the organisers of the conference and the old girls.

She promised that they would practice what they have learnt and take it down to their loved ones.

Highlight of the outreach was a practical demonstration of breast self examination by one of the nurses.