"CANCER TREATMENT SHOULD BE SUBSIDIZED," UI DON TELLS POLICY-MAKERS.
A Professor of Oral Pathology in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan, Professor Bukola Folasade Adeyemi, has called on policy-makers to subsidize the treatment of cancer.
She made the call while delivering the 554th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Dentistry.
The lecture was entitled "Unmasking an Enemy: The Pursuit of an Oral Pathologist."
Professor Adeyemi lamented that presently, cancer treatment is very expensive and many people that present with diseases that are not too advanced, end up not being treated because of lack of funds adding that the number of Nigerians that were unable to access available
treatment due to lack of funds is staggering.
She advised that education of the general population on the diverse presentation of oral cancer should be done periodically.
Prof. Adeyemi also called for public enlightenment on the importance of early presentation at health facilities.
She further advocated the commitment of funds to novel research by philanthropists, well-meaning Nigerians, drug companies, and the government.
According to her, the necessity for more research on oral squamous cell carcinoma can not be over emphasized.
The Professor of Oral Pathology listed a vast array of enemies that trouble the oral cavity and advised people to present alteration in their mouth or facial regions at government approved health facilities for assessment.
"Please do not underestimate changes in the oro-facial region that persist for more than two weeks," she advised.
Prof. Adeyemi advised all and sundry to limit their exposure to alcohol and tobacco use, visit the Dentist at least once a year but the best is every six months because many diseases of the Oral cavity are often painless in the early, easily treated stages of the disease and may remain unnoticed until it is advanced.
She further advised that whenever a change of appearance is noticed in the orofacial region, the dentist should be visited without delay.
The inaugural lecture was the fourth in the series of inaugural lectures for the 2023/2024 academic session.
