The Nation Newspaper

Tag: breast cancer

  • Mother of four needs N4 million to survive

    Mother of four needs N4 million to survive

    A 30 year old mother of four, Mrs Amatullah Agbebaku Odufa needs N4 million naira for chemotherapy so that she can survive a breast cancer that is at the moment threatening her life.

    She developed a lump on her breast before getting pregnant for her fourth child and therefore was unable to undergo any treatment until after delivery which caused the cancer to become severe.

    Speaking to The Nation her husband, Muazu Ozizi, a technician said she found a lump on her right breast two years ago and went to the Nyanya General Hospital, Abuja where she was given some drugs after going for scan and some other tests.

    “After taking the drugs the pain went away and she went ahead to get pregnant. It was during her pregnancy that she started feeling pains again so we thought that it was because she had stopped the third child from breastfeeding and the breast milk had not completely dried off but the pains became severe which prompted us to go back to the hospital.

    “We took her to Nyanya hospital where we were referred to Asokoro; from Asokoro we were referred to National Hospital, Abuja where we were told that it is marginal cell. At the National hospital we were not told what marginal cell is but we were given appointment instead to come back in two weeks and another appointment and by this time the pregnancy was 7 months.

    “When we went there again we were told that an operation would be done to bring the baby out then another one which would cost a certain amount and we were told to come back for it but when we went back, the hospital was on strike so I took her to Ibadan but we were referred back to National Hospital Abuja and by the time the strike would end, the pregnancy was eight months one.

    “We were then told that it was too late to operate that the pregnancy should be nine months before we came back; I took her again to Ibadan but was told that the distance was too far that we should go back to Abuja which we did and she gave birth to the baby naturally. Since then she has been in the National Hospital on oxygen because she cannot breathe on her own and she has started some treatments but we are unable to raise the 4 million and N750, 000 needed for chemotherapy and other injections.

    “We have only been able to raise the initial N250, 000 for some drugs and injections and this is all we have. I have spent everything I have; I don’t want to lose a loving and caring wife and mother to my children.”

    Donations can be made into Diamond bank account number 0012660873 with account name Muazu Onipe Ozizi or Gtbank Account number 0252613961 with account name Agbebaku Amatu Odufah.

  • Council screens 300 women for breast cancer

    Kosofe Local Government, in collaboration with Cancer Awareness Nigeria, has screened about 300 women for cancer.

    The screening, an initiative of Cancer Aware Nigeria, a Lagos-based breast and cervical cancer awareness group, was aimed at creating awareness on breast cancer, and the need for screening by women.

    According to Tolulope Falowo, the organisation’s executive director, the programme was sponsored by Act Foundation and Access Bank.

    “The Kosofe edition is the third in a series of programmes that we hope to take through all the local governments in Lagos.  We have been to Mushin and Ikeja in the last two months and our next stop will be Ikorodu,” Falowo said.

    Those in attendance were offered free clinical breast cancer examination and free wellness check. Those who are 40 and above got free mammogram.

    Falowo said the women were also lectured on the disease; the poor, who have issues, would be offered treatment support and appropriate referrals and follow-up.

    The council Chairman, Afolabi Sofola urged the women to take advantage of the free screening, as “cancer is one killer disease that is deadlier than HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS could be managed, while cancer, once it has reached an advanced stage, can be fatal.”

  • Ex-Minister gets court’s nod to treat breast cancer abroad

    Ex-Minister gets court’s nod to treat breast cancer abroad

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Tuesday permitted former Finance Minister (state) Senator Nenadi Usman to treat herself abroad for breast cancer.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned her and former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode for alleged N4.6billion laundering and fraud.

    They were re-arraigned along with a former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government in Nigeria (ALGON) Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Ltd.

    They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of money laundering.

    Mrs Usman applied through her lawyer Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) to the court to release her International Passport to enable her travel overseas on December 18 for cancer treatment.

    She said she wished to be away for 45 days, promising not to jump bail.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the application. He said: “I will leave it to the court’s overriding discretion.”

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the application and directed Usman to submit her International Passport to the court’s Deputy Registrar once she returns.

    According him, there would be dire consequences if she fails to comply with the directive.

    The court earlier admitted Fani-Kayode’s bank account statement in evidence.

    He dismissed the defendants’ objections that statement did not comply with Section 90 (1) (1)(1-iv) of the Evidence Act.

    The judge held that the prosecution complied with the section.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1, 500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The defendants were also accused of indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC, which added that the allegedly offence was committed between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the general election.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until January 31, 2018.

  • Beating Breast Cancer in Bangladesh

    Beating Breast Cancer in Bangladesh

    By Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz for The Daily Star

    Clutching her baby, breast cancer survivor Basanti Majumder speaks of a pain in her left breast and fears her cancer may have returned. She stares briefly at the floor and giggles nervously. “I’m not going to the doctor now for financial reasons,” she says.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates approximately 1.38 million new breast cancer cases each year, resulting in 458,000 deaths annually.

    Unsurprisingly, mortality rates are much higher in the developing world where women often only seek medical assistance and diagnosis in the late stages—unaware of what is wrong and reluctant to shell out on medical costs. In Bangladesh, poor access to medical facilities, stigmatisation and a lack of knowledge about the disease mean that a mere 11 percent of Bangladeshi women receive diagnosis in the early stages.Cancer

    Like in much of the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst Bangladesh’s female population, with 32.8 percent of female cancer patients suffering from this strain of the disease. The nation’s public medical services—overstretched and underfunded—simply cannot provide the care required by breast cancer sufferers.

    Yet encouragingly, one organisation has taken up the plight of these suffering women. Active since 2007, Amader Gram Breast Care e-Health Centre aims to provide expert medical assistance to any woman, regardless of her economic or social situation. Having originally set up in the Khulna region of Bangladesh, the organisation now boasts one other centre in the sub-district of Rampal in the Bagerhat region, as well as a small coordination office in Dhaka.

    Reza Salim, founder and director of the organisation, started off working in ICT as a government communication consultant. “I have worked primarily in ICT, and never initially planned to work on cancer,” he explains. Yet whilst working on computer literacy programmes in rural communities, Salim and his team were alarmed at the vast number of women turning up at the centre complaining of chest pains. “We also started taking small initiatives to help our localisation on the aspect of non-communicable diseases, as we realised that it was highly neglected and unattended,” says Salim.

    And now in 2017, ten years after Salim created Amader Gram Breast e-Health Centre and staffed with 13 dedicated medical employees, the organisation receives anywhere between 90 to 150 new patients with breast-related health issues a month. In 2016, the organisation treated 1,968 woman and followed up with 426 of them. Salim is keen that women undergoing treatment at the centre receive all the required care in the same place—something that is a rarity in state run hospitals where patients are sent traipsing from one pricey medical centre to another.

    “A big step towards treating cancer is to actually know about the prevalence of the disease and take action accordingly,” says Salim. In this conservative nation, little is known about breast cancer and women are reluctant to come forward and discuss any health concerns they may have. In order to overcome such obstacles Salim has several female physicians at the centres to help female patients feel more at ease.

    Aware of the economic hardship many of the patients live, Amader Gram Breast Care e-Health Centre’s prices are adapted to their patients economic situation. A diagnostic biopsy costs Tk 12,000 (US$ 143) and a chemotherapy session around Tk 1,000 (US$ 12). The organisation even provides all breast cancer patients with a free mobile phone so that they can liaise with medics throughout their treatment.

    Breast cancer survivor Mahmunda believes that she owes her life to the organisation. “When I first started noticing lumps around my breasts, I started taking homeopathic medicine. When more of them appeared, I came to this facility where Mozammel sir [a surgeon at the Khulna campus] redirected me to the correct treatment. Now, by grace of God, I am doing fine.”

    Keen to put a range of pedagogical tools at the disposal of patients and their families, the organisation has also drawn up a series of guidelines for effective palliative care for those women who arrive at the centre too late and for whom the outcome is not so positive.

    The team has even created an app called “AG Palliative Care” to help family members in remote areas best prepare for their loved ones’ last few moments. The app uses a short questionnaire in which patients or their loved ones can report symptoms. The information is then sent over to a centralised computer system and read over by a doctor who then suggests the best course of action for patients.

    Looking towards the future the organisation intends to expand its services across the entirety of Bangladesh, hoping to save and educate as many women as possible. For the time being it is clear that Amader Gram Breast e-Health Centre has proven an exemplary stepping stone in providing breast cancer treatment to some of the countries most vulnerable women.

    http://agbreastcare.org/

  • Skye Bank, COPE move against breast cancer

    Skye Bank, COPE move against breast cancer

    For Skye Bank Plc, health is wealth. That is why the leading retail lender, in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, is helping to fight breast cancer by partnering the Care, Organisation and Public Enlightenment (COPE) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) bringing relief to breast cancer survivors and patients, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

    Skye Bank Plc is showing renewed commitment to tackle the menace of breast cancer. The lender has, through funding and commitment, taken strategic steps to ensure that Nigerians are protected against the cancer scourge.

    The lender has also partnered Care, Organisation and Public Enlightenment (COPE) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation to bring relief to breast cancer survivors and patients.

    “We are committed to the fight against the high incidence of cancer, especially breast cancer in the country and with our NGO partner, Care, Organisation and Public Enlightenment (COPE) Foundation, no stone is going to be left unturned until the disease is brought to a halt,” the bank’s Group Managing/CEO Tokunbo Abiru, said in a statement.

    He added: “Our concern and desire as a financial institution and a corporate citizen, is to stem the growing trend of the disease,”  pledging that Skye Bank will continue to support worthy social causes in the health sector to improve the wellbeing and healthcare of Nigerians. According to him, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

    Also, the bank had in the past and in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, sponsored a 10-kilometer walk in two different locations within the Lagos metropolis with over 2,500 participants to draw the attention of the public to the deadly cancer scourge.

    Skye Bank, in collaboration with, COPE Foundation, is providing free breast cancer screening opportunity for hundreds of women as it continues to support the fight against cancer in October and beyond.

    The bank, in the last 12years, has made huge commitment to the fight against cancer and other Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) as part of its contribution to the society through its flagship CSR footprints.

    Some of the bank’s footprints over the years include the Seek-A-Care project, a long term relevant home care delivery service offered to breast cancer patients. The lender has also established a Breast Cancer Information Service Centre to serve as a databank where relevant and up-to-date information on breast cancer is made available.

    The lender has also donated cancer screening machines – LogiQ C2 and Mind Ray Ultra-Sound System, to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices at the C.O.PE Center.

    The provision of the equipment has increased the chances of early detection of breast cancer, which has significantly raised the survival chances of cancer patients and also given opportunity to more women  to determine their status. “Over 30 indigent cancer patients were supported by the bank for treatment in addition to providing free scanning programs for over 12,000 women within and outside Lagos. We helped to beef-up the capacity and skill set of officers from C.O.PE Foundation by sponsoring them to UICC World Cancer Training and Conference in Australia,” the statement said.

    COPE Foundation Managing Partner, Mrs. Ebun Anozie, in her comments, called for the establishment of cancer care centres in the country where specialists would be available to provide care and treatment to patients and survivors.

    She praised Skye Bank for sponsoring over 30 indigent cancer patients for treatment in addition to providing free screening programmes for over 12,000 women within and outside Lagos.

    “Unfortunately, we have noticed the prevalence of breast cancer in younger women and late presentation is still on the increase. Women should please avail themselves of the opportunity to free screening because early detection and treatment is safer and cheaper”, she said.

    A Consultant Oncologist, Dr. Anthonia Showunmi, advised  the public to live a healthy lifestyle, avoid risky behaviours, and go for general medical checkup once in a year.

    October has been set aside as the Breast cancer awareness month and it is marked globally to draw attention and support for awareness, early detection and treatment of the disease.

    The disease is the second most common kind of cancer in women and strangely, it accounts for about half a million deaths each year which is due largely to inadequate medical care and lack of awareness about the disease.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 70 per cent of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Consequently, deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue to rise to over 13.1 million in 2030.

    Stakeholders said these alarming figures call for a concerted effort by government, research institutes and the private sector to fight the scourge of cancer in our society in order to reduce the mortality rate among the womenfolk.

    According to research conducted by US based medical experts, Laurie Glimcher, MD, Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College; Wendy Chen, MD, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Patricia Steeg, PhD, deputy chief of the Women’s Malignancies Branch at the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research, there are indications that the three most recent big breakthroughs in the fight against breast cancer -taming rogue cells; treating from the medicine cabinet and catching cancer before it spreads, may be able to stem mortality in women as a result of breast cancer.

     

  • Amosun’s wife steps up action against breast cancer

    Amosun’s wife steps up action against breast cancer

    From Ogun Central to Ogun East and to Ogun West Senatorial Districts, the story is the same. Cancer scourge is no respecter of colour, religion, age or social status. The alarming threat of cancer cases, coupled with unavailability of dedicated hospitals to address and tame the deadly disease, have succeeded in leaving many in permanent fears and uncertain future, even as the death toll arising from cancer cases is highly discouraging.

    There’s low awareness and no medical programmes to assist and support people with these cancerous issues.

    These were the unfavourable situations in Ogun State until the intervention of the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, who believes something must be urgently done to address the deadly scourge.

    Thus, on October 4, 2012, Mrs. Amosun, through her Uplift Development Foundation, organised the first major free breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening programme in four different locations in Ogun State.

    The programme, which was organised in collaboration with the Ogun State Medical Women Association (MWAN), berthed at the Primary Health Care Centre, Olorunda in Abeokuta North Local Government Area in Ogun Central Senatorial district.

    Mrs. Amosun’s campaign train against cancer moved from there to the Primary Health Care Centres in Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area and in Idari in Ijebu North-east Local Government Area respectively, all in Ogun East Senatorial district on October 18, 2012.

    The next point of call was the Primary Health Care Centre, Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun West Senatorial District on October 24, 2012.

    From the Primary Health Care Centre in Ikenne to that of Alapo in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun East Senatorial District on October 21, 2013; to the Primary Health Care Centre in Adedero in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area in Ogun Central Senatorial District to the Primary Health Care Centre, Ibile in Yewa North Local Government Area in Ogun West Senatorial District on October 23, 2013, Mrs. Amosun intensified her effort to take the message to the nook and cranny of Ogun State.

    Female students in tertiary institutions such as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta and Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye were given information on breast and cervical cancer and benefited from the free cancer screening exercise by the wife of the Governor between October 12 and 14, 2015 respectively. The campaign was also taken to the rural women at the Primary Health Care Centres in Itori and Sango-Ota in Ewekoro and Ado-Odo/Ota local government areas.

    More than 1,200 people were screened and various degrees of breast lumps were discovered. Moved by the increasing number of women with lumps in their breasts, Mrs. Amosun was disturbed.

    The most surprising aspect of the 2015 programme was the discovery of a man with a breast lump. In all, about 40 cases of women with breast lumps were discovered and after screening by surgical experts, 30 breast lumps were removed on December 18, 2015 and histology done. All the beneficiaries were able to heave sighs of relief and become free from any form of cancerous issue.

    In October last year, Mrs. Amosun took the bolder step in her quest for finding lasting solution to the cancer scourge by establishing and inaugurating three Uplift Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centres across the three senatorial districts.

    Mrs. Amosun’s position is that the three centres located at the State Hospital, Ijaiye in Abeokuta; Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu; and the State Hospital in Ota, in Ogun Central; Ogun East; and Ogun West senatorial districts respectively, should provide free breast and cervical cancer screening for all daily.

    Even with the inauguration, Mrs Amosun organised a free cancer screening exercise for market and rural women at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, between October 4 and 5, last year. More than 2,000 people were screened and about 70 cases of breast lumps were discovered in women. After the regular screening by surgical experts, 40 breast lumps were removed during the second edition of the Annual Free Lumpectomy Surgery which took place at the OOUTH in Sagamu between October 20 and 21, last year, and histology was done hereafter. In addition to this, 20 cases of women with cervical lesions were discovered and were treated immediately through cryotherapy.

    This year, Mrs. Amosun’s Uplift Development Foundation focused on female professionals and civil/public servants. The programme was organised at the Uplift Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centres in Ota, Ijaiye and Sagamu respectively between October 2 and 4.

    She added that early detection is the only prevention for cancer.

    She said: “Due to the prevalence of breast cancer among women, the Uplift Development Foundation took the initiative to launch a massive cancer sensitisation campaign to raise awareness about the disease, which a survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO), revealed that, by 2020, there would be 10 million new cases of cancer every year in developing countries, out of which six million will die.”

    She further explained that breast and cervical cancer diseases are very serious health challenges that mainly affect women irrespective of age, status and religion. She urged women and ladies from age 16 and above to carry out self-breast examinations on themselves every month after their menstrual period or any other time if they feel uncomfortable with their breasts.

    She enjoined women across the three senatorial districts to visit any of the Uplift Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centres closer to them throughout this month and beyond for free screening and treatment.

    At the end of the three-day free cancer examination, more than 3,000 women were screened; about 50 cases of various lumps were detected; and three cases of advanced breast cancer were established.

    Besides, about 100 cases of cervical lesions have been discovered so far.

     

    • Sowunmi, a media aide to the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, can be reached via: idowu-sowunmi@gmail.com

  • Akeredolu’s wife seeks help for breast cancer patient

    Wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist a breast cancer victim, Mrs Kehinde Akingboye.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who is a survivor and founder, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), said many of the victims remained indoors and refused to expose their trauma for fear of having their breasts cut off should they present themselves at the hospital.

    Mrs Akeredolu had already launched N200m special fund to tackle the deadly disease.

    The story of a 45-year-old breast cancer victim in Okitipupa, came to the fore through the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Okitipupa Local Government Area, Mrs Morenike Alaka.

    She revealed that the woman had remained indoors for 20 years, writhing in pains without exposing her trauma.

    Mrs Alaka said she got the report of the distressed woman through the primary health officers (PHO) who had visited the woman and who later led her to the woman. She said she wept profusely after seeing the victim’s situation.

    She noted that the woman and her husband were afraid that the breasts would be cut off if she visited the hospital and consequently endured the pains in the past 20 years.

    Mrs Alaka noted that the state was blessed with Mrs Akeredolu, who according to her has passion to rescue those in need, particularly breast cancer victims.

    A consultant at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Dr Aba Katung said there were various stages of breast cancer, ranging from zero to stage four and five which he described as advanced breast cancer.

    He, however, allayed the fears of breast cancer victims that the disease was without treatment, stressing that “it is not a license to death as being speculated”.

    Mrs Akeredolu pledged to continue with his advocacy programme, particularly in the state and the whole country at large.

    She contended that Ondo State has a population of over three million people, saying that if only one million people could donate N200 each, it will go a long way in assisting women who suffer from breast cancer.

  • Rotary, community walk against breast cancer

    Rotary, community walk against breast cancer

    No fewer than 100 members of four clubs in Rotary International District 9110 and the Indian Women’s Association, Lagos have held a walk to create awareness on breast cancer prevention and cure. They were Rotary clubs of Falomo, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos Central and Okota.

    The walk covered some streets in Lekki Phase One.  It was coordinated by the President of Lagos Central Rotary Club, Sanjev Tandon.

    Participants in the event entitled Rotopink Walkathon’17 wore pink T-shirts and fez caps with the slogan “it’s time to wear pink. It’s time to beat breast cancer.’’ Some brought their little children who also took part in the walk. They were not allowed to drive their cars. They carried a large banner, which proclaimed the importance of the walk.

    The journey took off from the Geeta Ashram Temple on Grace Anjos Drive, moved to Admiralty Way, the Roundabout and veered off into the Lekki Phase One-Ikoyi Bridge before returning to the starting point.

    A Rotarian, Chief Anil Glover along with others, ensured that the walk was without any incident by directing members from oncoming vehicles. “This way, this way…’’ he ordered several times.

    Members of the Nigeria Police Force and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) were also on hand to ensure hitch-free walk.

    Tandon, in an interview, said: ‘’Breast cancer is one of the deadly diseases in the world. We are here to tell Nigerians why it is still happening and how they can prevent it. We can’t help them financially. But we create the knowledge through this walk, seminars, talks, distribution of fliers and even brought in experts to speak on breast cancer prevention.’’

    He said if the people knew about the symptoms of the disease on time, they would be able to come out early for treatment and that this would reduce its spread. ‘’Timely intervention brings in cure,’’ he said.

    Tandon added that beside breast cancer, the club also has blood donation, free eye treatment and women empowerment as part of its programmes for the year.

    President of Indian Women’s Association, Mrs Geetika Tandon said it was important to educate people about the disease–what symptoms to look out for, and how to get round them.

    “Before” they said, “cancer had no cure, know it can be treated,’’ she said.

    District 9110 Assistant Governor Kayode Adeinokun praised the clubs for the holding the walk. “The walk will enlighten people on the street on how to prevent the calamity being created by the disease.’’

    After the walk, Mrs Omolola Salako gave a talk on the prevention of cancer, especially cervical cancer. She said because cervical cancer is caused mainly by unprotected sex. Nigerians should use condoms, be faithful to their partners, go for screening periodically and take vaccination, if need be.

  • More women with breast cancer, says Akeredolu’s wife

    More women with breast cancer, says Akeredolu’s wife

    Wife of Ondo State governor Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has said the number of women battling breast cancer in Nigeria is high.

    Mrs Akeredolu spoke yesterday when she led a delegation of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) to Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode.

    The governor’s wife said some people believed that breast cancer is a spiritual attack, adding that rather than seek medical help, such people go from one prayer house to another for solution.

    She said: “We are ignorant and battling with misconception about what causes breast cancer and how to treat it. We know from experience that it is a medical issue and it is about time our women began to pay attention.”

    Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the association was in Lagos State to launch the state’s chapter, adding that despite government’s efforts, a lot needs to be done in education and advocacy to address the challenge breast cancer posed to the country.

    She said: “While we want government to play its part by providing hospitals and modern facilities to tackle this disease, it is also important that the women see the need to access these facilities.”

    The governor’s wife said it was pertinent to sustain the awareness to enable the people have information to tackle breast cancer.

    Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu called for the government’s support, saying the association would work with local government chairmen and their wives to educate the people at the grassroots.

    The survivor of cancer in the last 20 years said early detection and presentation are key to tackling the disease.

    Ambode praised Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu for her courage in the fight against breast cancer.

    The governor assured her of his administration’s support.

    He said: “The most significant part of this is that you happen to be the president of the association, not because you are the First Lady of Ondo State but because you have been a survivor and an advocate of breast cancer prior to becoming the governor’s wife. That is significant for me.

    “I say this not because you are a survivor but because you are a proud one and trying to send a message that breast cancer is not a death sentence. Twenty years after surviving it, you are seated here and we are propagating something that we should also sell to all Nigerians.”

  • ‘Women vulnerable to breast cancer’

    The wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has said one in eight women has breast cancer.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who is the founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) revealed this during an awareness campaign on Breast Cancer held at Isinkan Market Akure, the state capital.

    It was in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Oluwarotimi Nursery and Primary School, Akure, which collaborated with BRECAN for the advocacy programme.

    Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who was represented by the Chairperson of Ondo State branch of BRECAN, Dr Toyin Ayimoro said breast cancer as an ailment is not limited for women alone, stressing that it could affect anybody.

    She said: “We need to stem the tide of the disease by creating awareness and sensitising the people to the dangers of the disease. My mission is to ensure that less people die of breast cancer again.

    Mrs Akeredolu, who is a survivor of the disease, urged women to always examine themselves and go for treatment if they detect the symptom, stressing that they should not keep the problem a secret.

    At the event, pupils of Oluwarotimi Nursery and Primary School performed drama presentation on breast cancer advocacy. They described the disease as threat to life.

    Head teacher of the school, Mrs Noah-Isah appreciated God for keeping members of staff and pupils of the school together for the past 30 years.

    According to her, the management of the school realised the importance of good health and decided, as part of its responsibilities, to organise the awareness campaign against breast cancer in collaboration with BRECAN.

    This, she noted, was to sensitise the public to the danger inherent in lack of information and awareness on the disease.