News
Risk of getting cancer, preventive measures
Many everyday habits can quietly increase cancer risk. Here are things to watch out for, what’s preventable, and how small lifestyle changes can lower your risk.
What You Should Know
Cancer does not usually develop overnight. In most cases, it builds slowly due to repeated exposure to risk factors over many years. These risks may come from habits like tobacco or alcohol use, but also from diet, inactivity, pollution, infections, and excess weight. However, many of these factors are within our control. Understanding them helps people make informed choices, not live in constant fear.
Some common daily habits can raise cancer risk if continued over time include:
a. Tobacco use: Smoking and smokeless tobacco remain the leading preventable causes of cancer.
b. Alcohol consumption: Alcohol is linked to cancers of the breast, liver, mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
c. Unhealthy diet: Diets high in ultra-processed foods, red and processed meats, and low in fibre increase risk.
d. Physical inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are now linked to several cancers.
e. Excess sun exposure: Lack of sun protection raises the risk of skin cancer.
f. Environmental exposure: Air pollution, cooking fumes, and harmful chemicals can contribute to long-term risk.
General Observations
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a large proportion of cancers worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and infections. WHO estimates that lifestyle and environmental changes could prevent up to half of all cancers globally.
Experts say regular health check-ups and age-appropriate cancer screenings are just as important. Early detection often leads to better outcomes.
Cancer prevention does not require extreme or unrealistic changes. “The most effective approach is to build small, sustainable habits into daily routines.”
Simple actions can go a long way. Walking more during the day, using stairs, or taking short activity breaks improves fitness without needing a gym. Choosing home-cooked meals more often, adding fruits and vegetables, and cutting back on fried or packaged foods are practical dietary steps.
Sun protection can become a daily habit, just like wearing a seatbelt. Gradually reducing tobacco and alcohol is often more sustainable than sudden, unsupported attempts. Good ventilation while cooking, better sleep and stress management also support long-term health.
Conclusion
Cancer prevention is not about avoiding life or fearing every habit. It is about understanding risks and making informed, practical choices. Many everyday habits quietly shape cancer risk over time, but the good news is that many of these risks are modifiable.
News
Enugu State govt suspends monarch for hosting Peter Obi
The Enugu State Government has suspended His Royal Majesty, Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Ogbozalla Opi Autonomous Community, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The state government accused Igwe Ezugwu of violating provisions of the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
In a letter of suspension dated September 24, the Enugu State Government cited his alleged failure to constitute his cabinet, failure to establish a Town Union governing body, and persistent conduct deemed inconsistent with the laws governing traditional rulers in the state.
The suspension comes barely three weeks after Igwe William Ezugwu received NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi at his palace in Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he reportedly blessed Obi’s presidential ambition.
News
Bandits ambush, kill Plateau state deputy commander, operation rainbow CSP Babale
The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Dennis David Babale, has been killed after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Bandits ambushed personnel of the security outfit along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operation Rainbow is a State-backed community security and intelligence-gathering outfit in Plateau State, Nigeria, originally established in 2010 under former Governor Jonah Jang and recently revamped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to combat rural violence and beef up grassroots security.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 when the personnel, travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, came under attack by unidentified gunmen.
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), responded to a distress report and moved to the location of the attack.
Sources told reporters that Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, for medical attention.
Following the attack, troops, working alongside personnel of other security agencies, launched offensive operations and a manhunt for the assailants within the general area.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track the attackers and prevent further attacks along the route.
News
What NiMet DG Anosike, others discussed at WMO dialogue in China
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organization, Prof. Charles Anosike and other Chief Executive Officers of similar agencies across the world, have concluded a one week high level dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China.
The event which was hosted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), took place from September 14 to 18, 2026 and featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.
Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.
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