The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has launched a free cervical cancer screening and awareness campaign targeting 200 women in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Speaking at Tuesday’s inauguration in Fufore, Dr Nandi Tokkit, a consultant in NICRAT’s Department of Prevention and Control in Abuja, said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and detected early through screening.
“Our aim is to detect cases early and prevent women from developing cervical cancer. If screening identifies precancerous lesions, we can treat them before they become cancerous. This can cure the woman and help prevent cervical cancer,” she said.
Tokkit said screenings were taking place in six states, including Adamawa in the North-East.
Dr Maisaratu Bakari, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH) in Yola, said the campaign was timely, as the hospital had seen many cases of the disease.
“When NICRAT brought this research initiative to our state, we piloted it with a first phase focused on community awareness,” she said.
“We have now begun phase two: HPV DNA testing, the primary test recommended by our national guidelines. It helps identify women with high-risk HPV types, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. We intend to screen 200 women.”
Bakari said NICRAT had provided a thermal ablator to treat suspicious areas.
She added that women who did not meet the criteria for ablation would be referred to MAUTH in Yola for further treatment.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rahab Caleb thanked the institute for providing the free service and urged other women to take advantage of it.
