By Murtala Muhammad
Over five hundred women have been screened for breast and cervical cancers in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi, in an effort to strengthen surveillance and promote early detection of the two diseases.
The medical outreach was organised by the North East Development Commission, NEDC in collaboration with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN to commemorate this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Speaking to journalists at Alkaleri General Hospital, the President of MWAN, Bauchi State Chapter, Dr Ummahani Jafaru, said the objective of the initiative was to sensitise women on self-breast examination to ensure early detection of any signs or symptoms of cancer.
Dr Ummahani Jafaru noted that in Nigeria about twelve thousand cases of cervical cancer are detected annually, with eight thousand of them resulting in mortality.
The Assistant Manager and Health Desk Officer, NEDC Bauchi Office, Mohammed Ameer Ali, said breast and cervical cancers are diseases of public concern, hence the need for collaboration with MWAN across the six states of the sub-region to ensure early detection and possible treatment.
Earlier, a Consultant Gynaecologist with Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Habiba Isma’il conducted a health awareness session on the dangers of breast and cervical cancers, urging women to self-examine their breasts for any lumps and report to hospital for proper investigation and treatment.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to NEDC and MWAN for choosing Alkaleri Local Government Area to offer the free medical screening and treatment.
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