By CrossRiverWatch Admin
In commemoration of the 2022 World Cancer day in Cross River, the Nigeria Medical Women Association in conjunction with the Calabar South Local Government Area has flagged off a free cancer screening, awareness and treatment exercise for women in the area, with about 240 women enrolled.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of that LGA, Mrs. Esther Edet Bassey said the exercise is the first phase that will have 20 women from each of the 12 political wards in the area as beneficiaries, she also said the exercise in its next phase will also include men.
“Nigeria has over 12 percent of cancer cases, so I noticed that there are complaints about cancer amongst the women, most of the women come to me and when you ask them, they are telling you that they have lumps in their breast, they have cancer and all that.
“So, I observed that in trying to treat it, the little allocation we have in the Council will finish, so we thought it is better we get them informed, so that they will detect it early if they have it, and those that don’t have it will know how to prevent it, while those who have it will be treated while it is still very early, I have a friend who died of cancer.
“So with that, I think these women in Calabar South go about their businesses without even thinking of their health, and am happy that the female doctors are ready to come and assist me here in Calabar South.”
For this batch, 20 women per ward were selected to participate as the Council Boss advised that “they take charge of opportunities like this because any opportunity lost can never be found. Please the men very soon we are also going to call you to come for screening.”
On her part, the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter, Mrs. Vivian Mesembe Otu explained the essence of the event, the theme and the range of the exercise.
According to her, “we want to screen women for cervical and breast cancer, we also screen for other diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and other common illnesses.
“Bridging the care gap is the theme for this year’s World Cancer day, it is very necessary especially for a developing country like Nigeria, where there is a gap in the care for cancer patients and cancer prevention at community bases.
“If we come across any case of cancer in the screening process, we will attend to it through the Federal Government’s Cancer Health Fund, where the Government will take up 90% of the cost for the treatment, but you need to register under us through the teaching hospital.”
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the Calabar South local government council for the exercise and pledged to take legitimate advantage of the exercise.