Ogun Marks Cancer Awareness Month With Free Screening
IN commemoration of the cancer awareness month, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has carried out free breast and cervical cancer screening for women in the state.
At the flag- off held at the Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital, Ijemo, Abeokuta, Mrs Abiodun, described breast and cervical cancer as the two greatest forms of cancer that had claimed lives of many women, noting that there was need for adequate education and enlightenment on the disease.
The four- day screening, which started on Tuesday, ended on Friday, at the Primary Health Centres of the 20 Local Council Areas, for easy accessibility.
She enjoined women to always know their status, adding that it would also encourage more women to come out. “We are also advocating free screening for all types of cancer in women to encourage more to come forward for testing.
“We will appreciate that private sector, government and all stakeholders come together to inform and educate while offering access to screening to save more lives and prevent cancer death.”
In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker reiterated government’s continued support for the health care of women in the state.
She said the health ministry would not relent in promoting projects and programmes that would translate to sound health of the people.
The resource person, a consultant gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Center, Idi Aba, Dr. Aminat Ahmed in her lecture identified cervical and breast cancer as the most prevalent kinds of cancer in the society, noting that early detection remained key to successful treatment of the disease.
Representatives of Partners on the programme unanimously emphasised and recommended regular screening of women between the ages of 40 and 65 for early detection of the disease.