Former First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, has emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare in reducing the burden of cancer in society. She made the call at the flag-off of the 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening programme organized at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta. The programme, supported by the UPLIFT Development Foundation, aims to provide women with access to screening, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention.
Mrs Amosun described preventive healthcare as a crucial step towards reducing the burden of cancer in society. She noted that cancer, despite being a serious health challenge, should not be regarded as a death sentence. The growing incidence of cancer in Nigeria makes regular screening and early detection imperative, particularly for breast cancer, which has become a major public health concern in the country.
According to Mrs Amosun, breast cancer incidence in Nigeria has increased by nearly 300 per cent over the past three decades. Citing figures from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022, she stated that Nigeria recorded 32,278 new cases of breast cancer and 16,332 deaths, making the country the highest-burden nation on the continent in terms of breast cancer cases.
Despite the alarming statistics, Mrs Amosun stressed that early detection remains one of the most effective ways of reducing cancer-related deaths. She explained that patients diagnosed at an early stage have survival rates exceeding 90 per cent, compared with less than 30 per cent among those presenting at advanced stages.
The 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening programme is not the first of its kind. In the 2025 edition, more than 600 women benefited from the programme, while 22 women were identified with breast-related abnormalities requiring further medical attention. Eleven of the women who were diagnosed with suspicious breast lumps subsequently underwent free lumpectomy surgeries and post-operative care.
A Medical Consultant and Surgeon at FMC, Abeokuta, Dr Ebenezer Nkom, also spoke at the event, cautioning women against relying on native remedies in managing suspected cancer cases. He emphasized the importance of seeking professional medical attention whenever symptoms or abnormalities are detected, noting that early clinical assessment and appropriate treatment can prevent avoidable deaths.
Mrs Amosun urged the beneficiaries of the 2026 screening programme to take advantage of the opportunity to check their system for healthy living. She encouraged women to prioritize their health and take proactive steps towards protecting themselves from cancer.
Key points
- Early detection is crucial in reducing cancer-related deaths.
- Breast cancer incidence in Nigeria has increased by nearly 300 per cent over the past three decades.
- The 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening programme aims to provide women with access to screening, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention.
