About 100 people from the University of Ibadan community benefited from a free cervical cancer screening organised by a non-governmental organisation, Dove-Haven Foundation.  

The screening was part of the programmes to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the foundation on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.  

The Executive Director DHF, Ekundayo Samuel, said the organisation aimed to promote the health and well-being of the citizens by reducing the cancer threat.

 According to him, DHF has been working toward the reduction of cancer prevalence in Nigeria and beyond through cancer prevention, management, research and advocacy activities.

Mr Samuel said the activities to mark the organisation’s fifth anniversary were designed to raise cancer awareness and education in society.

This, he said, would provide easy access to cancer screening, and diagnosis to reduce the burden of the disease that is on the increase in Nigeria.

 “From research, there has been an increase in cancer burden in Oyo State. According to our survey, we have discovered that people in Ibadan, despite the fact that they have UCH and other clinics around, don’t maximise what they have. This has led to a lot of increase in cancer burden in Oyo State. So, we said we should come around to see how we can also support the government to reduce the cancer burden. This is also because cancer is also causing havoc globally and it is actually increasing daily,” Mr Samuel said.

 He said cervical cancer could be prevented, adding that girls between nine and 15 years could take Human Papillomavirus Vaccine to prevent it and for older people regular screening could help as a form of prevention.

 “We are the government, and we have to work together individually and collectively to ensure we take care of our health. Also, the government should play its part and put in more effort. But people should take their health seriously,” Mr Samuel said.

 He identified race, sex, age, and genes as factors that could not be modified, adding that people could adjust food, habits and lifestyle to reduce their predisposition to cancer.

 Also, the Principal Medical Officer, University Health Services, UI, Dr Olabisi Osegie, said the free screening would help to reduce the heavy burden of cervical cancer among women in Nigeria.

She stated that cervical cancer was the largest cancer burden in Nigeria.

She added that the screening would aid in the early detection and prompt treatment to reduce the number of women coming down with the disease yearly in Nigeria.

 “Depending on the result any woman whose screening is positive would be referred to an expert for further treatment. Management of cancer is easy once it is detected early and treatment commenced immediately. We don’t want people to wait till the disease manifests and spreads before coming to the hospital. And once it is detected on time and treatment is given it will prevent further complications that may arise due to the cancer,” Mrs Osegie said.

 She called on the government to support cancer patients by providing funds for their treatment nationwide and not just some designated cancer centres only.

 “The government should equip teaching and general hospitals nationwide. We don’t have enough cancer specialists in terms of doctors, nurses and pharmacists that have been trained in cancer treatment so we need that pool of healthcare workers. In addition to that is the provision of facilities and rebates for those on chemotherapy and radiation,” Mrs Osegie said.

 One of the beneficiaries at the event, Tolulope Ojo, appreciated the organisers adding that it would be of great help to women who couldn’t afford the screening. 

(NAN)