Lagos: The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) held a sensitisation session for young professionals on the risks associated with cancer in Lagos on Thursday.
The two-hour knowledge-sharing session focused on raising awareness, specifically about cervical and prostate cancers.
It also focused on the importance of early detection and preventive healthcare practices.
Facilitating the session, Dr Oluwatimilehin Ogunkoya, a medical practitioner, explained the causes, prevention, and early detection of common cancers.
He emphasised the difference between malignant and benign tumours.
Ogunkoya urged participants to prioritise regular medical checkups and adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce risks.
Speaking on cervical cancer, the doctor described it as the second most common cancer among women globally, mainly caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
Ogunkoya encouraged parents to vaccinate children aged eight to 14 against HPV, as he also advised regular pap smears, safe sexual practices, and healthy habits.
On prostate cancer, he noted that although the disease often develops slowly, it could be fatal if not detected early.
He identified age, genetics, and lifestyle as significant risk factors, recommending regular Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests and Digital Rectal Exams (DREs) for men from age 40 or earlier for those at higher risk.
According to him, the awareness is aimed at fulfilling PenOp’s commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and wellbeing within the pension industry.
The session also debunked myths around cancer, with the facilitator clarifying that frequent sexual activity does not prevent prostate cancer and that natural remedies should not replace medical treatment.
Participants raised questions on breast cancer screening, genetic testing, and annual health assessments for both genders during an interactive question-and-answer session.
PenOp is the umbrella body for all Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) in Nigeria, committed to fostering education and best practices within the pension industry.