Tina Amanda
As the world commemorates World Cancer Day which is the second leading cause of death globally and can occur at any age, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Rivers State in collaboration with Engraced Life Foundation has advocated for early detection as it saves lives.
Speaking while commemorating the Day with a cancer sensitization campaign at Government Girls Secondary School Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, Chairperson NAWOJ, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, said the organisations wants to ensure Rivers State and the country at large is Cancer free.
According to her, NAWOJ and Engraced Life Foundation took the campaign to schools because it is best to catch them young by educating and sensitizing young girls on the need to do a breast check early.
She, however, appealed to relevant authorities, well meaning individuals to help those living with breast cancer by building free Chemotherapy centres across the country, to enable cancer patients get free access to treatment same way those living with HIV/AIDs have access to free treatment.
“This year’s world cancer theme: Close the care gap, implies that all hands must be on deck to ensure a free cancer society.
“Remember in time past, HIV/AIDS patients finds it very hard to get access to free treatment, but today the story has changed and we believe in same way, those living with cancer would as well have access to cancer treatment in Rivers State and Nigeria, Yes We Can.
“We also encourage those caught up by this disease to go for treatment and as well seek for help where the need arises.
“We call on government at all levels to partner the Association and commit adequate resources to reduce cancer deaths and provide better quality life for patients and survivors.”
Serekara-Nwikhana expressed hope that all the activities lined up for this year’s celebration will lead to a powerful progress in reducing the global impact of cancer and create a cancer-free world.
She regretted that poor awareness, poor health seeking behaviours, low level of non-governmental investments, funding gaps amongst other factors mitigate the effort to effectively combat cancer scourge in the society.
On her part, the Founder of Engraced Life Foundation who is a stage four Breast Cancer Survivor, Ethel Olomu, said the breast cancer campaign is birthed out of compassion, empathy and personal painful experience having survived cancer by the Grace of God.
She maintained that educating women and girls with the right information on knowing their health status will significantly reduce the mortality rate from breast cancer in the society.
Olomu, however, urged all women and young girls to ensure they go to the hospital should they notice any abnormality in their breast for early check, as breast cancer have no age limit.
The event featured brassiere distribution to students as well as Free Breast Cancer Screening for female teachers and students.
This year World Cancer Day theme is “Close the care gap”.
