The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Taraba State Chapter, in collaboration with the North Eastern Development Commission (NEDC), on Friday called on Nigerian women to embrace regular screening for breast and cervical cancer as a vital step towards early detection, treatment and prevention of deadly diseases.
Dr. Echuseh Audu, President of the Association, made the call during the launch of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign with the theme: “Every story is unique, every journey matters”, organized by MWAN and NEDC in Jalingo.
She said the initiative was part of the association’s commitment to improving women’s health through awareness and education.
According to organizers, the campaign will continue in all Taraba communities to ensure that women at all levels have access to vital information and free screening opportunities.
Dr Audu noted that the campaign underlined the power of collaboration between MWAN and NEDC to promote early cancer detection and access to care.
“This program is a testament to the strength of our partnership and our shared mission to provide compassionate care and support to women. Our goal is to engage top healthcare professionals to educate women about the importance of screening, early diagnosis and preventive measures,” said Dr. Audu.
She stressed that women, especially those aged 50 and older, should make screening a regular health routine to reduce mortality rates associated with breast and cervical cancers.
Also speaking, Amahdy Gagwi Tarfa, representative of the Northeast Development Commission, praised the Medical Women’s Association for its dedication to women’s health and pledged the Commission’s continued support for initiatives that impact the lives of people across the Northeast.
In her remarks, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Dr Aisha Adamu, described the awareness campaign as a landmark effort in the state’s health sector.
He said such programs play a critical role in reminding communities of the importance of early testing and collective efforts in the fight against cancer.
“Marketing our resources and sensitizing communities on the dangers of late diagnosis is key to reducing the burden of breast and cervical cancer in Nigeria,” he said.
Nigerian Tribune reports that participants at the event were educated by experts on various aspects of cancer care.
Dr. Maryam Musa Haruna delivered a health talk on “Understanding Breast Cancer: Signs, Prevention and Early Detection”, while Dr. Rakiya Jibril spoke on “Cervical Cancer Awareness: The Role of Vaccination and Screening”.
Tribune also reports that there were messages of goodwill from dignitaries, as well as live testimonies from cancer survivors who shared their journeys of hope and resilience..