By Khalid Idris Doya The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in partnership with the Medical Women's Association of ...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in partnership with the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bauchi State Chapter, has screened no fewer than 1,000 women for breast and cervical cancers in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State.
Speaking during the outreach held at General Hospital Alkaleri on Saturday, Dr. Ummahani Jafaru, President of MWAN Bauchi and a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, described breast and cervical cancers as major public health concerns and leading causes of illness and death among women globally and in Nigeria.
Dr. Ummahani explained that the screening program, sponsored by the NEDC, covers all six North-East states, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi.
She emphasised that MWAN's mandate includes organising screening programs, advocacy visits, and awareness campaigns aimed at educating women and children about diseases that affect them.
"In Nigeria, out of about 12,000 cervical cancer cases recorded every year, nearly 8,000 women die. Globally, a woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes. This is why there is a global commitment to reduce these deaths through prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment," she said.
She highlighted the World Health Organisation's 90-70-90 targets for addressing cervical cancer.
She added that in the target 90% of girls fully vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV); 70% of women screened at ages 35 and 45 using high-precision methods and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receiving appropriate treatment.
"What we aim for is high vaccination coverage, strong screening uptake, and effective treatment services. These steps can significantly reduce new cases and eventually eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat," she added.
Dr. Ummahani stressed the importance of community-level sensitisation, "Many women, especially in rural areas, are unaware of these diseases or their consequences. We must go into the communities to educate, enlighten, and help them understand that these cancers exist, and can be prevented."
Speaking on behalf of NEDC, Mohammed Amir Ali, the Health Desk Officer in the Bauchi office, said the Commission embarked on the screening due to rising cancer cases across the region.
He reaffirmed NEDC's dedication to improving healthcare and women's well-being in the North-East, "Breast and cervical cancers are preventable and curable, especially when detected early. Our aim is to close the gap in access to screening and ensure every woman has the opportunity to safeguard her health," he stated.
Some beneficiaries, including Fatima Adamu and Hajara Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the NEDC and MWAN for bringing the screening exercise to their community.
Also speaking, Dr. Habiba Isma’il of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) expressed concern that many women only present at hospitals when cancer has reached advanced stages.
"At that point, little can be done in terms of cure. We can only provide palliative care to relieve pain and improve quality of life," she said.
She emphasised early detection and taught participants how to perform breast self-examinations while urging regular Pap smear or VIA screenings.
"Early detection saves lives. If cancer is diagnosed early, it can be cured. But when we delay, our options become limited," she warned.
Dr. Habiba advised women to examine their breasts monthly, preferably after their menstrual cycle, and report immediately if they notice lumps, skin dimpling, redness, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape.
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