NAOWA 3 DIVISION HOLDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON CERVICAL, BREAST AND OTHER PREVALENT CANCERS WITH FREE VACCINATIONS

The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) 3 Division Chapter in commemoration of the 2023 Breast World Cancer Awareness Month on 27 October 2023, held an awareness campaign on cervical and breast cancers as well as other forms of cancer common to both men and women. The event, which took place at the Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Jos, started with a health walk and aerobic exercise.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson NAOWA 3 Division Chapter, Mrs Fibishola Abubakar, said early detection and treatment of breast cancer would reduce the mortality rate which could result from negligence and lack of knowledge by affected persons. She remarked that frequent medical checkups must be encouraged amongst women, especially when abnormal growth was suspected in or around the breasts and other vital parts of the body.

The Chairperson reiterated that in line with the vision of the NAOWA President, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja,NAOWA as a reputable organization would continue to provide support to relevant authorities and agencies of government in creating good healthcare systems to assist victims of cervical and breast cancers overcome the challenge. She further noted that NAOWA, under the sterling leadership of the President, will do everything possible within its powers to ensure survival rates were increased in the country. She called on other well-meaning individuals, corporate and government entities worldwide to continually beam attention and raise awareness on cancers.

Delivering topics on cervical, breast, prostrate and liver cancers, the guest speakers, Dr Ikum Itok, Colonel Omogbethai, Nurse Judith, Midwife Amarachi Favour, Major Effiong and Dr Samuel Bassy, all disclosed that early detection and treatment were the sure ways of addressing any kinds of cancer, especially breast cancers. They also maintained that keeping fit was necessary to prevent breast cancers, while allaying fears in some quarters that cancers were contagious and could be caused through cell phone radiations.

The guest speakers confirmed that breast cancer was not a death sentence and could be prevented through adequate treatment, which precedes early detection of the disease. They also recommended the use of vaccines, self breast examination, exercises and good diet as preventive measures to reduce the spread of breast cancer.