By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In commemoration of October’s Cancer Awareness Month, the NNPC Foundation has launched a nationwide cancer screening initiative, aimed at early detection and prevention across Nigeria.

Recall during the worldwide cancer day in February 2024, the foundation screened about 291 Abuja residents for breast, cervical and prostate cancer.

The initiative targets over 3,000 Nigerians across the country’s six geopolitical zones, with screenings underway in Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Ondo, Rivers, and Imo States.

Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, highlighted the significance of the initiative, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to cancer awareness and early detection. “As we all know, this is World Cancer Month, the whole of October, so we’re really excited to be giving back and doing things to be able to help bring awareness to cancer,” she stated.

“Cancer is a disease that the best thing you need to do to treat it is really to detect. Early detection is key, as well as prevention.”

Arukwe noted that in 2023 alone, approximately 127,000 cases of cancer were recorded in Nigeria, with a distressing 70% mortality rate. “This is not looking good, so it’s very important that early detection remains a priority,” she added.

In addition to the screenings, the outreach includes education on cancer prevention and early detection strategies, as well as information on accessing the Federal Ministry of Health’s cancer fund.

Screenings are free for men aged 40 and above and women aged 30 and above and are available from October 29 to November 1, 2024, at designated centers across the six states.

These centers include K-Medic Diagnostics in Kaduna, Musafaha Imaging Center in Benue, Image Diagnostics in Rivers, Specialized Diagnostics Center in Gombe, Union Diagnostics in Ondo, and Short Care Diagnostics in Imo.

“We’re excited to be doing this,” Arukwe said, urging all Nigerians to join hands in the fight against cancer. “Your health is your wealth. Early detection saves lives.