Janssen hosts prostate cancer awareness event ‘more time for life’

On Saturday 8th December 2018, Janssen,one of the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, invited guests to ‘More Time For Life!’, a one day health and social networking event that aimed to encourage men to be more proactive in taking control of their health in general and prostate health in particular. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Nigeria[1]and will affect one in four black men in their life time. The event took place at Astro Turf Ikoyi.

The event was aimed at not only significantly increasing awareness of prostrate health issues but also in destigmatizing conversations around prostate cancer, while empowering men and families with important information about life style modification changes that research has shown can play a role in reducing the risk of prostate cancer or improving outcomes for men with prostate cancer.

Men over 40 were encouraged to take Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and other tests, an important step in both identifying prostate cancer earlier and in understanding one’s risk profile. Research shows that when detected early the survival rate for men with prostate cancer is 98 percent , dropping to 29 percent when detected at later stages.

Commenting on the event, Michelle Akande, country manager, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnsonsaid: Johnson & Johnson has been responding to healthcare needs for 125 years and our ambition is to change the trajectory of health for humanity in Nigeria. Today, we are proud to be partnering with mDoc, Project PINK BLUE and The American Business Council to change the trajectory of prostate cancer in Nigeria. Overwhelmingly, late presentation to the healthcare system and poor outcomes characterize the prostate cancer experience of men in Nigeria today. Yet evidence tells us that early detection and lifestyle modifications can both improve outcomes for those with prostate cancer and reduce the associated risk factors of prostate cancer. It is very important that we increase our individual and collective understanding of prostate cancer.

She added: ‘More Time For Life!’ is adding to the national conversation about prostate cancer and is in support of the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Cancer Control Plan 2018 – 2022, which sets out ambitious goals, including: of making screening services and early detection of cancer available for all Nigerians, as well asincreasing cancer awareness amongst the population.

cancer available for all Nigerians, as well asincreasing cancer awareness amongst the population.

The event which targeted senior executivesintended to create a network of prostate cancer advocates with the ability to influence the prostate cancer health seeking behaviour of men in their organisations and communities.

‘More Time for Life’ partners includedmDoc, Project PINK BLUE and the American Business Council.

Anthonia Obokoh