The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), on Saturday, held a breast cancer awareness campaign in military barracks in Birnin Kebbi as part of activities lined up for the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event was organised by NAOWA in collaboration with Sisters of Jannah (SOJ), and sponsored by End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI).

The occasion started with health walks and aerobic exercise in 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi.

Speaking at the event, the area representative of NAOWA in the state, Juliana Dauda, said breast cancer awareness month is an annual international campaign observed every October to raise awareness about breast cancer.

”The aim is to encourage early detection, support those affected, and fund research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure,” she said.

Ms Dauda explained that 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 said 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.

“NAOWA is based on unity and charity as we help the less privileged people and reach out to the poor.

”Our association will do everything possible within its powers to ensure survival rates are increased in the state in particular and country at large,” she assured.

Ms Dauda called on well-meaning individuals, corporate and government entities in the state to continually beam attention and raise awareness on cancers.

She commended Nafisa Nasiru Charity Development Foundation (NANAS) and its founder, Nafisa Idris, the wife of Kebbi governor for her support to the association and health related issues in the state.

”The theme for World Breast Cancer Day in 2024 is “No one should face breast cancer alone.”

”This theme emphasises the critical role of patient-centred care, which encompasses medical, emotional, psychological, and social support through patient navigation systems.

”It also seeks to address gender and socioeconomic inequalities in access to breast cancer care,” the representative said.

Also speaking, Dr Ishak Lawal, the executive director of ECCNI, who said the essence of the programme was to create awareness, opined that people perish for lack of knowledge.

”Our activities are focused around achieving the 90:70:90 targets of cervical cancer elimination in low resource settings.

”These activities include; implementation of strategic research, advocacy to relevant stakeholders, empowerment of organisations in low resource settings through signposting to available opportunities for organisational development, among others,” he said.

Mr Lawal lamented that the cancer disease was increasing at an alarming rate, saying cancer cases increased to 27 million currently.

He said by the year 2025 to 2040, it is expected to increase to 40 million if a decisive and holistic action is not taken.

Earlier, Aminudeen Attahiru- Nasarawa, coordinator of the NANAS foundation, highlighted the foundation’s various interventions in the areas of health and empowerment of women, among others.

”NANAS has been supporting various organisations like NAOWA, and we will see what we can do to extend support from screening and testing of cancer patients to treatments, in sha Allahu,” he said.

 (NAN)