..as BRECAN unveils information cards to launch ‘Awareness for 21000’
..it takes 15-20yrs before HPV turns to cervical cancer, prevention is highly possible-Guest Speaker
Ondo State Government, through the Ministry of Health today joins the world to mark the year 2021 world Cancer day, in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN.
Speaking at an enclosed event to commemorate the day, at Rotunda Government house, the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, reassured of his commitment to construct a world class cancer treatment centre before the expiration of his second term in office, noting that the foundation laying would commence soon.
She gave kudos to the First Lady for providing good leadership for Ondo women by providing quality women in various fields of endeavors, and shouldering the fight against two cancers that are claiming the lives of women, through BRECAN.
He implored individuals to join the fight against cancer as shouldered by the First Lady, noting that there couldn’t have been another way to serve humanity than to contribute to the cause of life saving, and contribute to the crowd funding initiative of BRECAN.
Commenting on the theme of the event, “IAM and I WILL”, Governor Akeredolu charged individuals to rise to the fight now and make a commitment to have a world free of cervical cancer since it’s the type that could be eliminated.
He expressed readiness to collaborate with well-meaning associations like BRECAN in a bid to make life worths living for the citizens, while thanking BRECAN for its commitment to fight the cause of cancer, affirming that through the association, many now had knowledge of the disease.
On rape, he appealed to women to be closer to their daughters and train them to be self-aware of errant men around them, regardless of relationship with the family.
In her address, the Wife of the governor and Founder of BRECAN, Arabinrin Betty-Anyanwu unveiled a new strategy to achieve result-oriented breast and cervical cancer awareness campaign, which is TEAL and PINK cards that contains information about the two cancers.
Unveiling the awareness cards, she was elated with the success recorded with campaign throughout the state, saying that the new strategy was devised to widen the scope of knowledge about cancers beyond the usual flyers.
The BRECAN Founder who disclosed that the association would now be championing advocacy and awareness campaign for Breast and cervical cancer, noted that BRECAN office would now be a one-stop centre for both.
“This event is specific, although we are celebrating World Cancer day, but in a special way. We are bringing on board our commitment and determination to widen the scope of knowledge and awareness about two cancers that have claimed the lives of our women.
“Late last year, WHO decided to champion cervical cancer given that it is one of cancer we can eliminate 100%, and we’ve been told that the knowledge is there to do it, the facilities and all the tools are available to do it but the only problem is accessibility. That’s why BRECAN also joins in the struggle to make it possible to eradicate cervical cancer in our society”.
She enjoined individuals, and corporate bodies to support the struggle against rape and defilement of minors in Ondo State by producing the yellow card awareness strategy for School in their constituency.
A guest lecturer, Dr. Akinfolarin Adepiti hinted that cervical cancer is the only one with a known cause which is Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted disease.
According to him, this type of cancer is preventable with massive awareness as it takes 15-20 years before the infection turns to a full-blown cancer.
He hinted that cervical cancer is common in the third world country with 80% death rate due to the low level of screening.
Dr. Adepiti emphasised that the need not to make the awareness campaign a one-off programme, but rather continuous one with collaboration with media organisations to produce clear and concise jingles as part of their corporate responsibilities.
In his remarks, the Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye while enumerating the efforts of the governor at providing quality healthcare services to the residents of the state, hinted that the current administration initiated the first of its kind teaching hospital by collaborating with foreign partners to procure six million dollars worth of medical equipment.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Titi Adeyemi commended the governor for his support to the noble cause of ensuring that no one dies of cancer in Ondo state, describing the First Lady as a dogged fighter who would fight a cause to a standstill.
Mrs Folasade Aluko who represented Coalition Against Cancer in Nigeria, CACIN, noted that they are committed to bringing to the barest minimum the scourge of cancer and would continue to work with BRECAN.
P The awareness for 21000 project has as its features: raising breast and cervical cancer awareness among twenty-one thousand women seeking medical attention in secondary and tertiary hospitals for non-cancer related medical issues and capturing data for monitoring and evaluation.
The event also featured launching of calendar to commemorate the day.
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