Saleh Dunoma, managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is eager to see more collaboration by aviation stakeholders to fight against cancer. Speaking during the Customer Service Appreciation/World Cancer Day organised by the Servicom Unit of the Authority recently held at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Lagos, Dunoma, represented by Ikechi Uko, the director of administration, stressed the importance of rendering care and support without discrimination to those affected with cancer. “In our fight against cancer, we must ensure that we do not promote fear and victimisation,” he said.

Tolani Oduwole, the general manager, Aviation Medical Clinic, explained that various habits such as tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing, excessive alcoholic consumption, over exposure to sunlight and irritants such as hydrocarbon, insecticides among several other factors could cause cancer. Oduwole cautioned against these habits and recommended a daily breast examination for women in order to detect lumps, swellings and dimpling found in the breasts. Morenike Olatunji of the Aviation Medical Clinic defined cancer as an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells, which could occur in any part of the body. She pointed out that cancer is the leading cause of death all over the world adding that the best cure for it is prevention by all means and early detection. She also listed breast cancer, prostate cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer as the major types of the disease.