The Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) on Friday, offered free cervical and breast cancer screening for over 200 women in the barracks to commemorate World Cancer Day 2024.
The DEPOWA President, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said in Abuja that the free screening was part of efforts to unite against cancer.
World Cancer Day observed on Feb. 4, has as its theme, “Close the Care Gap.”
She said that cancer had remained one of the most significant health challenges of the time, affecting millions of lives worldwide.
According to her, World Cancer Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about the sickness, promote early detection, prevention, and treatment, as well as advocate for improved access to healthcare services for patients.
She said that DEPOWA, in collaboration with the Partnership for the Eradication of Cancer in Africa (PECA) had taken proactive steps to combat cancer by sensitising and conducting free screening for wives of personnel.
She urged all to acknowledge the reality that cancer knew no boundaries, adding that it affected individuals and communities worldwide, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.
The DEPOWA president, however, said in the middle of the reality lay an opportunity to bridge the gap in cancer care and to ensure that no one was left behind in the fight against this disease.
“Since my assumption into office, I have conducted free cervical cancer screening for over 250 women in October 2023 and mammograms for over 80 women between October 2023 and January 2024.
“Today, over 200 women across all services will benefit from this programme.
“Today marks an important milestone as we launch the routinisation of cervical and breast cancer screening, a substantial step towards early detection, timely intervention and ultimately, saving lives,” she said.
Musa said that the association aimed to empower individuals to take charge of their health, detect cancer at its earliest stages, and access the care and support they needed by making screening a frequent part of healthcare services.
She also said that closing the care gap required a collective commitment to raising awareness, advocating for fair access to healthcare services, and investing in research and innovation.
The Commander, Defence Headquarters Medical Center, Navy Capt. Victor Igboezu said that cancer remained a public threat globally.
He noted that it was more in Africa and other developing countries due to limitations in access to diagnosis and treatment.
Igboezu also said that early detection and prompt intervention treatment could save lives.
He commended DEPOWA for the efforts in carrying out sensitisation on the deadly disease, particularly within the barrack.
According to him, creating awareness and sensitisation in terms of screening invariably will lead to early detection and prompt treatment.
Also, the President, of PECA, Benjamin Ogbalor, said that cancer could be eradicated through early detection and the taking of vaccines.
He said his organisation aimed to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth with the reality that cervical cancer could now be prevented through vaccination.
“Incidentally, that has not happened for so many women to have access to the HPV vaccine so that they can be spared on the scourge.
“Now, the women who missed out of that opportunity, we believe that we should work with DEPOWA to ensure that they are screened and see how they can also have access to the vaccine because the vaccine is now available,” he said.
NAN
