The Medical Association of Nigeria (MAN) has announced plans to conduct free cervical and breast cancer screening for 500 women in Gombe State.
The exercise, organised in partnership with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), is part of activities marking the World Cancer Awareness Month.
Speaking on Tuesday in Gombe, Dr. Hauwa Saurayi, an official of the association, said the screening would take place from November 5 to 7 at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe.
Saurayi explained that the initiative aims to promote early detection and timely treatment of breast and cervical cancers among women.
“Diagnosis leads to early treatment and a higher chance of cure. We encourage all women, especially those within the reproductive age of 15 to 49 years, to come forward for screening,” she said.
“Those who test positive can begin treatment early, while those who test negative will be guided on when next to return for follow-up screening.”
According to her, early detection remains the most effective strategy to reduce cancer-related deaths, urging women not to wait until symptoms appear before seeking medical attention.
Also speaking, Dr. Gift Bawa, Senior Registrar, Department of Surgery, FTH Gombe, described breast cancer as the most common cancer among women globally, warning that its burden poses a serious public health challenge.
“Major factors contributing to high mortality include poor access to quality healthcare, inadequate treatment facilities, and limited screening opportunities,” Bawa said.
“We need stronger collaboration between government agencies and development partners to address these gaps and reduce breast cancer deaths.”
Bawa, a member of the West African College of Surgeons, noted that studies have shown early detection and timely management significantly prolong survival, even when complete cure is not always possible.
On cervical cancer, Dr. Halima Faruk, Associate Professor of Gynaecologic Oncology at FTH Gombe, described the disease as one of the most preventable yet burdensome cancers affecting women worldwide.
She said about half a million new cases of cervical cancer are recorded annually across the globe, with more than half of those affected dying — particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
“It is an irony and an unacceptable reality that such a preventable cancer continues to claim many lives,” she said.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular screening and vaccination.”
Faruk noted that cervical cancer remains the second most common gynaecological cancer in Nigeria after breast cancer, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all gynaecological cancer cases at FTH Gombe.
“We record an average of seven new cervical cancer cases every week, mostly from remote rural areas where awareness is still very low,” she added.
She called on government and relevant authorities to increase health sector funding, recruit more healthcare workers, and strengthen training programmes to improve early detection and referral systems.
The event also featured a cancer awareness road walk, which ended at the College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, as well as educational talks on breast and cervical cancer prevention.
