RAISE Foundation, an NGO owned by Dr Amina Bello, wife of Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, has offered free breast and cervical cancer screening to 5,000 women in the last two years.
The governor’s wife, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Minna, said that five women tested positive to breast cancer out of the 2,918 screened, while seven women tested positive to cervical cancer, out of the 2,764 screened.
Bello made the disclosure at a press conference to mark the 2019 World Cancer Day.
She said that the NGO had carried out surgeries for 41 patients, adding that only five cases were found to be cancerous and were currently receiving treatment.
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“For cervical cancer screening, I am happy to say that only seven people had full blown cervical cancer and have all been referred for treatment,” she said.
Mrs. Bello decried the dearth of information on cancer, saying that the situation had opened ways for myths and misinformation to thrive.
“Such myths and misinformation hinder people from accessing care. This year, RAISE Foundation is celebrating the World Cancer Day by looking at increasing awareness, prevention and control.
“We have been paying advocacy visits and collaborating with traditional and religious institutions, to raise awareness because our experience has shown that majority of the people have no idea of what cancer is, prior to their diagnosis,” she said.
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According to her, the key to surviving cancer is early detection, adding that majority of cases were diagnosed at late stages, when chances of cure were unlikely.
Bello’s wife revealed that plans were on by her foundation to partner with a private investor, to build a cancer treatment centre in the state.
“We are happy to announce that talks have reached advanced stage toward build Nigeria’s best cancer treatment centre in Niger.
“In Nigeria today, we have only six cancer centres; of the six, only the one at the National Hospital, Abuja, is functioning properly.
“We are supposed to have one cancer treatment machine for every one million people; but in Nigeria, we are over 190 million with only six cancer centres.
“For me, this is totally unacceptable. That is why we are trying to have one here in Niger State, so that our people won’t have to travel out for cancer treatment,” she said.
The governor’s wife advised governments at all levels to do more in the provision of vaccines that prevent cancer
NAN reports that RAISE foundation focuses on the improvement in maternal and child health, as well as women empowerment. (NAN)