Expert educates residents on prevention of nail cancer

By Motolani AbdulGafar 

The Chief Medical Director of Isolo Estate Clinic who doubles as the Ejigbo LCDA Vice Chairman, Dr. Olatunde Olusumade, has warned residents of Ejigbo to be cautious of their health, saying continuous negligence of their wellbeing could worsen their health condition.

The medical expert gave the warning while sensitising members of Estate Youth Parliament (EYP), Ejigbo on the causes and prevention of nail cancer.

He explained that nail cancer (Subungual Melanoma) is one of the ailments that could paralyse human health if not treated at its early stage.

He said: “Subungual melanoma is an uncommon cancer of the nail that is frequently misdiagnosed because this type of cancer often has a dark brown or black streak on the nail that is similar in appearance to other benign causes such as injury to the nail with blood under the nail, bacterial infections, fungal infections and so on.

“In the case of untreated nail cancer, the melanoma spreads to other parts of the body which becomes deadly if left untreated, which is not what we pray for.”

He explained that the disease is caused by unprotected skin exposure which may be confused initially for a bruise while encouraging that residents should be very observant of any slight change that occurs to their skin.

“It is pertinent that we take good care of our nails by cutting and cleaning it regularly and observe if symptoms like nail discolouration, nodule under nail, nail brittleness and cracking among others appear on it. It is better to visit the hospital early before the disease gets to the critical stage as the treatment is usually surgical, mainly amputation of affected thumb.”

He encouraged the residents of Ejigbo to always go to the medical health centres provided by the Lagos State Government for treatment before their health deteriorates.