In commemoration of October’s Cancer Awareness Month, the NNPC Foundation has launched a nationwide cancer screening initiative for 3,000 Nigerians, aimed at early detection and prevention.
The initiative targets over 3,000 Nigerians across the country’s six geopolitical zones, with screenings underway in Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Ondo, Rivers and Imo States.
During the 2024 World Cancer Day in February, the foundation screened 291 FCT residents for breast, cervical and prostate cancer.
In addition to the screenings, the outreach includes education on cancer prevention and early detection strategies, as well as information on accessing the Federal Ministry of Health’s cancer fund.
Screenings are free for men aged 40 and above and women aged 30 and above and are available from October 29 to November 1, 2024, at designated centers across six states.
These centers include K-Medic Diagnostics in Kaduna, Musafaha Imaging Center in Benue, Image Diagnostics in Rivers, Specialized Diagnostics Center in Gombe, Union Diagnostics in Ondo and Short Care Diagnostics in Imo.
Speaking with our reporter, Thursday in Abuja, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, highlighted the significance of the initiative, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to cancer awareness and early detection.
“As we all know, this is World Cancer Month, the whole of October, so we’re really excited to be giving back and doing things to be able to help bring awareness to cancer.
“Cancer is a disease that the best thing you need to do to treat it is really to detect. Early detection is key, as well as prevention,” she said.
Arukwe noted that, in 2023 alone, approximately 127,000 cases of cancer were recorded in Nigeria, with a distressing 70% mortality rate, even as she urged Nigerians to join hands in the fight against cancer.
“This is not looking good, so it’s very important that early detection remains a priority. We’re excited to be doing this. Your health is your wealth. Early detection saves lives,” she said.
