NGOs Organise Free Cancer Screening in Oyo State

Cancer constitutes one of the health challenges affecting a significant percentage of both men and women in Africa.

According to the World Health Organization, WHO, statistics showed that in 2012, there were 14 million new cases and 8.2 million deaths, while in 2018 there were 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths.

As part of efforts towards reducing incidence of cancer in Oyo State, BOVAS Charitable Foundation, and Access to Basic Care Foundation have collaborated to embark on sensitization rally in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The rally which kicked off at Bodija to the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan saw the wife of the former governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi as a participant.

The event which focused on awareness on dangers of cervical and breast cancer provided platform for women at Bodija, Alesinloye, and Gbagi markets where the sensitization programme were taken to know programs of the foundations for would-be beneficiaries in the other health programmes lined up for women in the coming week.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi said cancer could be well managed if women undertook tests for early detection.

Mrs. Ajimobi urged women to come out for test to enjoy longer life.

In an interview, the representatives of BOVAS Charitable Foundation, Mr. Abimbola Ishola and Access to Basic Care Foundation, Dr. Oluwatobi Lawrence, said breast lump, headache, discharge of blood from the breast were some of the symptoms of cancer.

They implored women to take advantage of the free screening exercise put together by the two foundations billed to commence in ten council areas of Oyo state.

Aside Alesinloye, Iseyin, Iwo Road, Gbagi, Afijio, Agodi, and Lanlate, the screening would also be held at the headquarters of the foundation at Oluyole.

Two beneficiaries, Mrs. Risikat Lawal, and Mrs. Iyabo Oyedele urged women to turn out en masse for various free screening and treatment lined up for next week.

The theme of the exercise is “Give Hope, Save Lives”.

Rotimi Famakin