Taraba women, NEDC unveil cancer awareness campaign

Medical experts called on Nigerian women to embrace regular breast and cervical cancer screening as a vital step toward early detection, treatment, and prevention of the deadly diseases.

The call was made in Jalingo during the flag-off of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign organised by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Taraba State Chapter, in collaboration with the North East Development Commission on Thursday.

Speaking at the event with the theme: “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters”,  the President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Taraba State chapter, Dr. Echuseh Audu, said the initiative was part of the association’s commitment to improving women’s health through awareness and education.

She noted that the campaign underscored the power of collaboration between MWAN and NEDC in promoting early cancer detection and access to care.

This programme is proof of the strength of partnership and our shared mission to provide compassionate care and support for women. We aim to engage top health professionals to enlighten women on the importance of screening, early diagnosis, and preventive measures,” Audu stated.

She stressed that women, especially those aged 50 and above, must make screening a regular health routine to reduce mortality rates associated with breast and cervical cancers.

Also speaking, a representative of the North East Development Commission, Amahdy Gagwi Tarfa, commended 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 North East.

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.

She said such programmes play a critical role in reminding communities about the importance of early testing and collective efforts in the fight against cancer.

Pooling our resources and sensitising communities about the dangers of late diagnosis is key to reducing the burden of breast and cervical cancer in Nigeria,” she said.

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.”

Our correspondent reports that there were also goodwill messages from dignitaries, as well as live testimonies from cancer survivors who shared their journeys of hope and resilience.

The awareness campaign, according to organisers, will continue across communities in Taraba to ensure women at all levels have access to vital information and free screening opportunities.

The high mortality rates associated with breast and cervical cancer among Nigerian women, which experts believe can be significantly reduced through early detection.

The collaboration between MWAN and NEDC is highlighted as a strong example of a shared mission to provide compassionate care and support.

The NEDC specifically pledged continued support for such initiatives in the North East region.