NOA urges Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles on World Lung Cancer Day
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyles, avoid smoking, undergo regular medical check-ups and support people living with lung cancer as part of activities marking the 2026 World Lung Cancer Day.
The agency made the appeal in a series of awareness messages posted on its official X account on Sunday. It said the campaign was aimed at drawing attention to the growing burden of lung cancer and the need for early detection, prevention and improved access to quality treatment.
According to the NOA, this year’s observance, held under the theme, “Together Through Lung Cancer,” promotes compassion, hope and equal access to early screening, accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment and supportive care for all patients.
The agency noted that lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and warned that the disease affects both smokers and non-smokers. It added that public awareness of its symptoms, causes and prevention remains low despite its widespread impact.
It explained that World Lung Cancer Day seeks to raise awareness of the disease, encourage smoking cessation and healthy living, promote screening among people at high risk, dispel the misconception that only smokers develop lung cancer, support patients and caregivers, and advocate better access to cancer care.
The NOA also identified several risk factors associated with lung cancer, including passive smoking, air pollution, exposure to asbestos, occupational chemicals, radon gas, previous radiation therapy to the chest and a family history of the disease.
In addition, the agency listed common warning signs of lung cancer as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, recurrent chest infections, hoarseness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, bone pain, fatigue and headaches in cases where the cancer has spread.
The agency urged Nigerians to avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, maintain healthy indoor air quality, exercise regularly, reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and go for regular medical check-ups. It added that World Lung Cancer Day is not only about raising awareness but also about encouraging collective action to support patients and make healthier lifestyle choices.
