The wife of the Borno state governor, Dr Falmata Umara Zulum, has called for more mobilisation, collaboration and awareness campaigns in the fight against breast cancer and cancer generally.
Mrs. Zulum made the call while inaugurating a cancer campaign at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri. She said the campaign tagged “2020 Breast Awareness Campaign,” is part of her pet project, Multi-Aid and Charity Initiative (MAC Initiative), a non-government organisation aimed at creating awareness on cancer.
“The aim of our gathering here today, bearing in mind this year’s theme is ‘to give hope and save lives’ was a reminder that we all are in this together to protect the most vulnerable by educating and encouraging them to go for cancer screening using Mammography,” she said.
The governor’s wife said: “This campaign had for a long time been catalyst for many countries to increase resources for research and treatment giving many women and their families renewed hope and a new lease of life.”
She was worried that there was limited access to early detection, diagnosis and treatment of the deadly disease adding that it is important in curbing the spread of the disease.
She said: “Women in most parts of the country are likely to be diagnosed only at late stage of breast cancer where the disease had spread to other organs
“Vulnerable and those living below poverty line, particularly those living in rural areas are unable to access medical services, making them to be of great risk of contracting the disease.”
Mrs. Zulum further appealed to all to inculcate and imbibe the culture of regular medical checkup so that emerging problems are detected and treated at the onset of disease, noting that the humanitarian organisation had invited health personnel to conduct free and voluntary preliminary screening to the women and girls at the occasion.
She also encouraged other well-meaning individuals to support patients diagnosed with cancer in the society.
Speaking earlier, the Borno state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salihu Kwaya Bura, represented by his permanent secretary, Dr. Muhammed Guluze, said 500,000 people were diagnosed with breast cancer annually and that the state government will work with international and local NGO promoting early cancer detection and treatment .
