Mirian Gom 
Anambra first lady, Nonye Soludo
ABUJA, Nigeria – The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, urges Nigerians to prioritise early cancer detection and rethink daily lifestyle choices, warning that unhealthy consumption habits continue to fuel rising cancer cases nationwide.
Speaking in a statement on Wednesday to mark World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, Mrs Soludo says cancer increasingly penetrates homes and communities because of preventable lifestyle risks and late diagnosis.
She stresses that routine screening remains the most powerful weapon against cancer-related deaths. “Cancer is only deadly when detected late. You don’t have to wait — take a step and get screened,” she says.
According to the Anambra First Lady, addictions and careless dietary habits have created fertile ground for the disease. “Cancer has had unhindered access to our households largely because of unhealthy consumption patterns. It is time to reassess how and what we eat,” she adds.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “United by Unique,” Soludo describes cancer as more than a medical diagnosis. “It is a deeply personal human story that requires collective compassion, care and support,” she says, urging families and communities to stand with those battling the disease.
She notes that while treatment success stories exist, prevention and early action remain neglected. “Each year, the numbers get scarier. We have lost focus on what truly matters — routine checks and healthy living,” she warns.
Soludo, founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, also calls for a holistic approach to wellbeing, encompassing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. She encourages Nigerians to “nourish well to think well, move well, work well and sleep well.”
World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control and supported by the United Nations, aims to reduce preventable cancer deaths globally through awareness, prevention and early intervention.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Hussaini Ibrahim 