Early detection key to prevention, beating disease – Bauchi cancer awareness coalition

A coalition of Bauchi-based civil society organizations has emphasised the need for early detection of breast cancer to prevent deaths among women.

This is part of its efforts to create more awareness of the scourge of breast cancer among rural women in communities.

October every year has been set aside globally to highlight issues around breast and cervical cancer, to give hope to victims and create awareness on prevention and benefits of early detection.

Addressing a crowd in commemoration of this year’s Cancer Month, the coalition undertook a walk covering over 3 kilometres across major streets of the Bauchi metropolis.

A consultant with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Dr. Adamu Bala Ningi who spoke to newsmen during the walk, decried the increasing percentage of deaths from breast cancer that occurs in Africa which is usually due to late detection.

He expressed worry that many patients present at the hospital when cancer has already spread and there is little or nothing that can be done for the individual, which eventually leads to death even after surgery.

Some of the organizers, who spoke to our correspondent said the programme is aimed at bringing to light the need for women to always seek medical attention the moment they notice anomalies in their breasts.

Alheri Yusuf Sarauta of the Alheri YS Foundation said the objective of commemorating the breast cancer month was to dispel the myth that breast cancer cannot be cured, stressing that early detection and prevention was the only way to survive the disease.

“There are many survivors of breast cancer that are hale and hearty within our community. This was a result of the fact that the breast cancer was detected early enough by the victims and they commenced medical treatment ahead of the disease,” She said

Aisha Adam Bappa, Founder of AABA Life Foundation (ALFO)on her part said for the first time, the Coalition of CSOs saw the need to organize the walk in addition to a series of public lectures to commemorate the breast cancer month.

Bappa thanked those who participated in the walk and also urged them to be breast cancer awareness champions and reiterated the resolve of the coalition to key into all global activities that seek to bring the issues around breast cancer national discourse.

A breast cancer survivor, Elizabeth Kah advised women to always check their breasts for any signs of lumps, especially after menstruation.

“I was able to detect the lump in my breast early and seek medical attention. Today, 19 years after my surgery, I am still alive, healthy and full of energy,” she said.