Chukwuma Cancer Care foundation in conjunction with Medical Women Association of Nigeria Delta State Chapter has organized a free cancer screening excercise in Amai, Ukwuani local government area of Delta state.
The screening which took place on Saturday 12th February, 2022 had both men and women turning up for breast, cervical and prostrate cancer screening.
In an interview, the CE O of Chukwuma Cancer Care foundation, Chief Humphrey Chukwuma said that the aim of the foundation is to create awareness on cancer as well as assist the underprivileged cancer patients to gain access to free treatment.
He said that the high cost of cancer screening and treatment has been one of the reasons why many Nigerians shy away from finding out their status on cancer.
He encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities provided by NGOs giving out free cancer screening to find out their status.
He called on government at all levels to increase their efforts in the fight against cancer by making screening centers easily accessible to Nigerians at all levels especially those living in the rural areas.
Speaking on the screening excercise, the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter Dr. Akpe Aghoho Benedicta, felicitated with the CEO of CCCF for taking a step further from creating awareness on cancer and bringing free screening to the people of Amai.
She expressed satisfaction on the turn out as it was the first time such excercise was brought to the people of Amai.
Speaking on Cervical Cancer, Dr. Akpe noted that due to the unavailability of vaccines, the medical team has resorted to the use of pap smear to screen women which will enable treatment to be administered on time to suspected cases.
This, according to her, is due to the fact that the early detection of cancer has proven to increase the prognosis of treatment as well as total cure for breast, cervical and prostrate cancer which is the number one killer among men.
She, however, decried the laissez-faire attitude of Nigerians towards health issues which makes them to ignore signs and symptoms resulting in late presentation of cases which has made treatment difficult and in most cases impossible.
She expressed joy on the success of the screening excercise stating that some cases were detected and appropriate actions are on top gear to ensure that the detected cases will be addressed promptly.
One of the participants , Pastor Olise Ezekiel expressed joy on the screening excercise. He encouraged Nigerians to go for regular medical check up. He also, advised cancer patients to take their medications seriously as this will increase their chances of survival.
Another participant, Mrs Emore Ese who was elated, said that she has looked forward to an opportunity to get examined for cancer. She encouraged the foundation to do more by increasing awareness on cancer especially among women. This according to her will avail women the opportunity to get tested early as this is the key to beating cancer. She encouraged cancer patients not to give up hope.
Also, Mrs Ejieh Helen who came from Kwale for the cancer screening encouraged women to go for regular check up as early detection is the key to survival.
