The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has urged Nigerians to embrace routine cancer screening and healthier lifestyles, warning that late detection remains one of the deadliest factors in the fight against the disease.

Soludo, who is the founder of the health advocacy initiative Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said cancer has gained “unhindered access” to many homes largely because of poor dietary habits, addictions and a general neglect of preventive healthcare.

She stressed that early detection offers the best chance of survival, noting that many cancer deaths could be avoided if people submitted to regular checks and paid closer attention to their bodies.

“Cancer is still stealing from us on an unimaginable scale,” she said, lamenting the rising number of cases and the emotional and economic toll on families. “Each year, the numbers keep getting scarier and more worrisome. All these point to how much we’ve lost consciousness of what truly matters: routine cancer checks and healthy living.”

Soludo emphasised that cancer is “only deadly if it is detected late,” urging citizens not to wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking medical help. Routine screening, she said, should become a normal part of personal health planning, just like regular blood pressure or blood sugar checks.

Beyond hospital visits, the Anambra first lady called for a sober reassessment of everyday choices, especially food, alcohol, tobacco and other addictions that increase cancer risk. She described many of these habits as “careless consumption” that quietly undermines health over time.

Linking her message to the global cancer awareness campaign, Soludo said the theme “United by Unique” underscores that cancer is not just a clinical diagnosis but a deeply human story. Every patient, she noted, carries a unique experience of fear, hope and resilience that demands empathy and support from the wider community.

“People who are fighting cancer need our love, care and support,” she said. “It’s not their burden alone — it’s our collective story of resilience and survival. Do whatever you can to support anyone fighting it. That’s how we can make a lasting difference.”

Soludo also appealed to residents, especially women and mothers, to prioritise their overall wellbeing, advocating a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Nourishing the body properly, she added, is essential “to think well, move well, work well, love well and sleep well.”