The saying Prevention is better than cure is an old truth. A truth said and heard so often that it has become a worn cliché. But doesn't help? Rarely. No one appears to pay any attention to it. This could be why the IHVN brought it into the front burner in line with the theme of this year's version of World Cancer Day.

Last Thursday, officials of Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) met with media representatives in Abuja. The main message the officials preached ran along this line: Prevention, especially in reference to cancer, is better than cure.

Thursday February 4 was the day on which the institute joined the rest of the world to mark the 2010 World Cancer Day on the theme Cancer can be prevented too, the idea being to raise awareness on the possibilities that, with the right attitudes, cancer-related infections are as easily prevented as other afflictions.

Dr Patrick Dakum, the Chief of Party & Project Director of the Institute who said the institute was working at expanding prevention and treatment of cancer in the country maintained that conscious efforts of individuals at regular self-examination tailored at being familiar with one's body is a cost-free culture that help keep cancer away.

Dakum mentioned safe sex as a vital way to prevent cancer. Cancer is linked to AIDS in instances where AIDS-causing human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) breaks down the immunity and renders it unable to fight off viruses, including the viruses that cause the different cancers that afflict different parts of the body.

Dr Dakum stated, "As part of the observation for World Cancer Day, we continue to urge people to stay safe by practising safe sex so as to prevent HIV and so reduce cancers."

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) initiated the World Cancer Campaign in 2005 in response to the Charter of Paris of 2000 which chose 4th February of every year as World Cancer Day. Since 2006, the Union has coordinated World Cancer Day activities, supported by related bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A highlight of the IHVN event in Abuja included a review of the fight against cancer in Nigeria by Dr. William Blattner, a specialist described by IHVN as being "involved in developing Nigeria's capacity to implement the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in the country." The US-based Blattner participated in the event through video conferencing. He said treatment of cancer remained costly and that, especially in Nigeria which lacks the infrastructure that help healthcare services, prevention and early detection of cancer remain the only cheap ways to tackle the disease.

How to prevent cancer

-Avoid Smoking and Exposure to Smoke

Smoking is responsible for not only lung cancer, but many other types of cancer. One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to quit smoking or never start. As soon as you quit, and it's never too late, your body reaps the benefits of being tobacco-free. Avoiding second-hand smoke, the smoke exhaled from a smoker or a lit cigarette, pipe or cigar, is also a way to prevent cancer. This smoke contains more than 60 known carcinogens. These carcinogens interrupt normal cell development. This interference is what ignites cancer development.

- Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables greatly reduces your risk of developing cancer and many other conditions. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help repair our damaged cells. Green, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are your best bet to help prevent cancer. Studies also show that dark fruits, like blueberries and grapes, may also have anti-cancer properties.

-Limit Red Meat and Animal Fat

Numerous studies show that a diet high in animal fat increases the risk for several types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Red meat contains much more fat than poultry and fish, so reducing the amount of red meat in your diet may help to prevent cancer. A diet high in fat also is major cause of obesity, which is a risk factor for many types of cancer.

-Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol regularly increases your risk factor for many types of cancer. Studies suggest that men who consume 2 alcoholic drinks per day and women who have 1 alcoholic drink per day significantly increase their risk factors for certain types of cancer.

-Exercise for Cancer Prevention

When you are exercise, you are reducing your risk for many types of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week for cancer prevention.

-Know Your Personal and Family Medical History

Knowing your family history of cancer is important to properly assess your risk factor for certain types of cancer. Cancers like breast, colon, ovarian, and possibly other types can be hereditary. If you know that a certain type of cancer runs in your family, let your doctor know. Together, you can determine a proper screening plan and assess your true risk.

-Practice Safe Sex

Unsafe sex can result in the infection of the human papillomairus (HPV), a known cause for cervical cancer and a risk factor for many other types of cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that is spread through sexual, skin-to-skin contact. A vaccine, Gardasil, to prevent HPV was approved by the FDA in 2006 and protects against four strains of HPV that are associated with cervical cancer and other types. HIV/AIDS is also associated with some types of cancers.

-Get Screened for Cancer Regularly

Cancer screening tests can be useful not only in detecting cancer, but also helping prevent it. Screening tests like the colonoscopy and Pap smear can detect abnormal cellular changes before they turn cancerous. The key to their effectiveness, however, is that they are done regularly. Other cancer screening tests are available and may be useful for early detection, but not necessarily cancer prevention. Prostate cancer screening through digital rectal exams and PSA tests can help detect prostate cancer early. Mammograms and other imaging tools are also recommended to detect breast cancer in women.