Opinion

Michael Erhayanmen: Why I Advocate for Cancer Awareness!

Michael Erhayanmen/LinkedIn

Nov 9, 2024, 14:55

Michael Erhayanmen: Why I Advocate for Cancer Awareness!

Michael Erhayanmen, Media Editor for the World Journal of Surgery, shared on LinkedIn:

“Why I Advocate for Cancer Awareness!

I grew up in a remote village, far from the reach of modern hospitals and clinics, where good healthcare was almost a luxury. In my community, “strange” ailments weren’t always viewed as medical issues; they were shadows of fear, misinterpreted and mystified, often seen as curses or as punishments for sins. When someone fell for an “uncommon” sickness, the first response wasn’t to seek a doctor. Instead, they would visit traditional healers or rely on rituals, convinced that their suffering was due to an unseen force.

Cancer was one of these misunderstood ailments. I remember people who would lose weight, develop odd growths, or experience strange pains. These symptoms were rarely questioned or investigated; they were seen as afflictions of the devil or as the workings of malevolent spirits. Few thought to go to a hospital, and those who did often faced immense challenges—financial burdens, long distances, and a lack of available specialists.

This pervasive superstitious belief, combined with limited healthcare access, meant that treatable conditions went undiagnosed and lives were lost needlessly. Statistics reveal that about 30-50% of cancers can be prevented, and many are treatable if detected early. For example, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers often have high survival rates with timely intervention.

Knowing this, I felt compelled to be a voice for change. I didn’t want others to lose loved ones to preventable and treatable cancers simply because they didn’t have the knowledge or resources to act in time. My mission became clear: to advocate for cancer awareness and early detection, especially in low-resource and underserved communities where myths and fear still hold sway over people’s lives.

Today, as a cancer advocate, I fight for better access to healthcare, for education that dispels superstitions, and for resources to reach those most vulnerable. My hope is that one day, even in the most rural settings, cancer will no longer be seen as a curse but as a challenge that can be overcome with the right support and awareness.

This is my commitment!”

Michael Erhayanmen

Amb. Michael Erhayanmen serves as Media Editor for the World Journal of Surgery and is an executive committee member of The G4 Alliance. He is a Global SOTA Fellow, Faith and Gender Justice Scholar with Sojourners, and Communications Coordinator for the Nigerian Cancer Society. He is also the founder of the Koret Boys Initiative.