Emeka Iweala, a professor of biochemistry at Covenant University in Ota, has appealed to the federal government to commit more funds to cancer research to uncover its causes in the country.

Mr Iweala, also a Centre Leader at the Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication, African Centre of Excellence (CApiC-ACE), made the call on Tuesday in Ota, Ogun.

He stressed the need for the federal government to invest more in cancer research, especially prostate cancer.

Mr Iweala said that investing in cancer research would help to stem the burden of cancer-related deaths in the country.

He lauded the federal government for the establishment of the Nigeria Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.

The don said the institute was doing a lot in the area of creating awareness, mobilisation of resources and bringing together medical personnel working in cancer centres.

Mr Iweala said there was room for improvement in investing more in cancer research and intensifying advocacy to further minimise cancer cases in the country.

“There is a need to create more awareness so that people would know about cancer and also know their status,” Mr Iweala said.

The don advised men above 40 years to go for regular screening for cancer, adding that with early diagnosis and appropriate treatments, the survival rate is very high.

He cautioned people against self-medication when they detect symptoms of prostate cancer.

The don urged members of the public to consult the right medical personnel who would tell them what to do.

He said that CApiC-ACE was set up to embark on intensive research to further discover the causes of prostate cancer and other related cancers in the country.

(NAN)