Rural Communities In C’River Receive Free Cancer Screening

Nigerians in rural communities have received free screenings for cancer as part of activities to mark the 2021 World Cancer Day.

The screening also provided immediate thermal ablation of identified cases and was sponsored by Pink Africa Foundation with the support of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, south-south zone and the BridgeWell Ventures, Canada.

More than 150 people including women, men and children from Ugep in Yakurr local government area of Cross River State, were screened for different types of cancers.

A consultant radiologist with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,  Dr. Nchiewe Elemi, said that the theme for this year called for action to prevent cancer.

According to Ani, who is also the President and founder, Pink Africa Foundation, “we are in Ugep, the largest village in West Africa to mark the World Cancer Day with the theme ‘I am and I will’. We are saying that we can and we will defeat cancer in Africa.

“We have screened more than 150 people, men, women inclusive. We have done abdominal scan for the children, cervical and breast cancer screening for women and we are doing the PSA estimation and transabdominal scan for the men.”

She also said that during the outreach, one cervical cancer case was discovered and treated by the partners, FHI 360. 

“We picked up one pre-cancerous lesion in a woman, who we screened for cervical cancer. With the support from FHI 360 using their thermal ablation equipment, we have burnt the lesion on the spot. So, as we speak, we have actually helped to buy back time for this woman,” she said.

She explained that the foundation was taking action to correct the inequities associated with cancer awareness, cancer screening and cancer treatment especially in the rural areas.

“We are going to be in Yakurr local government area for three days. We will do Ugep on the 4th and 5th of February, then we will move on to Mkpani village to continue on February 6th,” she said.

Ani advised people to go for annual screening to have better survival rates.

“We are calling on people, everyone to know their cancer status today. Wear your face mask or shield and go to the doctor to get screened for cancer. Take a trip to the nearest hospital or healthcare centre and do a health screening from head to toe. 

“This year’s World Cancer Day places emphasis on general healthcare, cancers of all body type from head to toe,” she said, adding “we believe that one day, there will be a cure for all forms of cancer. But, in the meantime it is wise to know your status, do your annual screenings and if positive take necessary action. Get treated on time and go to the right hospital to access healthcare.”