HealthAugust 16, 2026

chemoprevention

KEE-mo-pree-ven-shun

Definition

The use of chemical substances, including drugs or supplements, to prevent the development or recurrence of a specific disease.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of 'chemo-' (from chemistry or chemical) and 'prevention' (the act of stopping something from happening). It emerged in medical terminology during the 20th century to describe pharmacological approaches to disease avoidance.

In the news

In the article, seasonal malaria chemoprevention is highlighted as a federal government initiative that provides preventive medicine to millions of children to combat the spread of the disease.

Nigeria’s most urgent health issue

Read the full article ↗

Punch Newspapers

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