Lagos screens 100,000 women annually for breast, cervical cancers

As part of efforts to reduce the menace of cancer in Lagos State, no less than 100,000 women will be screened free-of-charge, for breast cancer and cervical cancer annually by the Lagos State government. 

Disclosing this as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Cancer Day,  the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, said free screenings for breast and cervical cancer have commenced in 62 State health facilities including designated General Hospitals offering gynecology and obstetrics care services and flagship primary health care centers across the State.

Ogboye said this year’s World Cancer Day theme: "Close The Care Gap", has provided yet another opportunity to improve awareness on cancer and to encourage its prevention through early screening and detection, diagnosis, and prompt treatment of the various types of cancers.

 "Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, nearly one in six deaths are due to cancer and 70 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria".

Ogboye, while reiterating the need for periodic screening and lifestyle modification as preventive measures against the non-communicable disease stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that as many as 40 percent of deaths from cancer are preventable.

He noted that raising awareness for cancer prevention, screening, and early management has become a very important goal for all stakeholders and citizens.

"Cancer is no respecter of persons, age, sex, religion, residence or wealth. Therefore, it is very essential that we continue to inform ourselves about cancers and the fact that every single person has the ability to make a difference, be it large or small, and also that together we can make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer, create a cancer-free world and prevent millions of deaths each year.

"This year's World Cancer Day commemoration event has provided the opportunity to conduct advocacy to the people of Ikosi-Isheri as well as the entire citizenry and increase awareness on the importance of early screening, prompt diagnosis, and treatment of cancers", he said.

Ogboye noted that 200 women of childbearing age were screened for breast and cervical cancer during the outreach program at Ikosi-Isheri adding the State Government will provide free treatment for cervical precancerous lesions for women who require it.

"I want to encourage us all to adopt a healthy and safe lifestyle. Let us ensure we go for regular screening as and when due and we seek medical help early as prevention is always better, cheaper, preferable, and less stressful than curative measures", he concluded.

The Director Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, said the Lagos State Government commenced the State Cancer Control Program in 2005 in recognition of the increasing trend of the global epidemic of cancers.

He explained that the Lagos State Cervical Control entails awareness creation, sensitization, health education and promotion, and free screening for breast, cervical, and prostate cancer for citizens.

Agbolagorite stated that the State Government with the support of n, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), has built the capacity of over 300 healthcare workers across the State’s primary and secondary health facilities, and LASUTH to provide secondary prevention services for cervical cancer to Lagosians across all the LGAs in the State.

"In addition, the organization has provided requisite equipment, materials, and consumables to be utilized for these screenings", he added.

Also speaking, the Cervical Control Program Coordinator for CHAI, Dr. Maltida Kerry stated that CHAI through UNITAID grant is supporting the Lagos State Ministry of Health to screen approximately 200,000 women for cervical cancer and provide precancerous treatment for those in need in Lagos over a two year period.

"Since the launch of the cervical cancer program in 2019, CHAI through the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Health Service Commission and the State Primary Health Care Board has been able to create cervical cancer service demand generation and increase access to cervical cancer services", she noted.