An expert in reproductive health, Ijeoma Onuorah, has dismissed the myth that the use of contraceptives for family planning can lead to cancer, stating that such methods can actually reduce the risk of cancers.
Mrs Onuorah made this statement during the celebration of the 2023 International Day of Families. The event, which was organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, took place in Awka.
The International Day of Families is marked annually on May 15th, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of families and promoting their role in society. This year’s theme is “Demographic Trends and Families.”
Mrs Onuorah encouraged families to choose a family planning method that suits them, emphasizing that all methods are both safe and beneficial to the health and well-being of the family as well as society at large.
She observed that many myths and misconceptions are preventing families from embracing family planning, an issue that has led to the deaths of many women.
“There has been no evidence that family planning causes cancer, rather it reduces the risk of cancers. The benefits of family planning include longer spacing between pregnancies, preventing unplanned pregnancies, and improved survival rates of infants because there will be more time for quality parenting and care,” she said.
Mrs Onuorah also advised women to seek proper tests from medical professionals to determine which family planning method would be best for them. Additionally, she urged sexually active young girls to utilize family planning as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies instead of taking untested cocktails that could harm their health.
The use of family planning methods is a crucial aspect of population health management, one that is aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates while increasing access to education and employment opportunities, particularly for women.
As such, debunking the myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning methods is critical to ensuring that families make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
