We must prevent women deaths from cancer – NGO

In the past couple of months, the Leah Charity Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, has embarked on a number of programmes aimed at drawing the attention of women in the state to the ravaging effect of breast and cervical cancer.

Sometime last year, the organisation set up screening centres where women could walk in, pay the sum of 200 naira and get screened for cervical cancer in addition to going through the process of self-breast check for lumps which may be indicative of breast cancer.

To commemorate World Cancer Day, the Foundation, led by its Founding Trustee, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed embarked on road shows which at the moment has traversed the three senatorial districts of the state.

Mrs. Ahmed who is also the Wife of the Kwara State Governor said during the sensitization campaign “although we do not pray that any one comes down with cancer, but I want you to know that cancer is not a death sentence and the only way to ensure that everyone is free from cancer is to go and screen. Early detection is the only way to save people from untimely death and am begging you all, my mothers, my sisters, my friends and children to please go and check yourselves”.

She explained that the Foundation has opened screening centres in a number of locations within the metropolis, including the Children Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, Adewole Cottage Hospital and the Sobi Specialist Hospital.

She appealed to all the traditional rulers that she visited to encourage women in their communities to check themselves periodically as this was most important.