More than a 100 professional and non-professional cyclists, including many UBA staff, took to the streets early Saturday morning to ride 20 kilometres around Lagos raising awareness for prostate cancer. The event was organised by UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of UBA plc.
The cycling event, which is the fourth edition of the Foundation’s annual prostate cancer awareness initiative, was held alongside with the ‘Jogging to Bond’ initiative of the UBA Group, an employee engagement sports event, held across the continent in the 19 countries where UBA has presence.
The cycling event, flagged off by Kennedy Uzoka, the deputy managing director, and senior management staff of the bank, and led by cyclists from the Cycology Riding Club, commenced from the UBA Headquarters on Marina, Lagos through Awolowo Road, Ikoyi and Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island and terminated at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, where free screening for prostate cancer took place for interested men amidst other health and fitness exercises organised for staff.
Speaking before the cycling exercise flagged off, Ijeoma Aso, managing director, UBA Foundation, said prostate cancer in men is curable if detected early. “We are committed to promoting prostate cancer awareness so that men above 40 years can get screened regularly and seek treatment if they test positive,” she said.
“The screening for prostate cancer is taking place simultaneously in other centres in Nigeria and other parts of Africa in line with the mandate of the Foundation,”she said.
This year’s ‘Cycling for Prostate Cancer’ follows a mini-marathon for prostate cancer held in 2013. The prostate cancer awareness campaign was launched by the Foundation in 2011 with a ‘Walk, Cycle and Jog for Prostate Cancer’ event. This was followed by the ‘Play Soccer for Prostate Cancer’ event in 2012 when the Foundation brought together ex-Nigerian international football stars to play football and stand up against prostate cancer.
The UBA Foundation has been using sports as a platform to spread awareness of prostate cancer while promoting healthy lifestyles.
Olalekan Osineye, head, business development and retention unit, Marina Medical Services (HMO), speaking at the event, described prostate cancer as a disease that develops in the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system (produces fluid for semen) and is located in front of the rectum and below the urinary bladder.
Osineye listed the risk factors for developing prostate cancer to include: age, family history, race, genetics and diet noting, that symptoms of prostate cancer include problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the urine stream, low back pain and pain with ejaculation. He advised men with suspicious symptoms to talk to their doctor who will advise them if they should go for a test.
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