The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has urged Nigerians to end the culture of silence and stigma surrounding breast cancer.

Mr Akume made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the launch of the Mariam-Atswandeh Cancer Support Foundation (MACSF) and a Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium.

The event, with the theme ‘From Awareness to Action: Building Resilient Communities Against Cancer,’ highlighted the need for early detection and community engagement.

Represented by Francis Ikyenge, a director in the SGF’s office, Mr Akume said awareness and education were key to reducing breast cancer cases and deaths.

“We must break the culture of silence and stigma. Regular self-examinations, screenings, and open conversations can save lives,” he said.

He added that survivors and patients required not only medical care but also emotional, financial, and social support.

Mr Akume noted that the federal government, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, prioritised cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

“We are expanding screening programmes, improving radiotherapy and chemotherapy access, and working with partners to reduce patients’ financial burdens,” he said.

He stressed that partnerships with organisations such as MACSF, civil society, faith-based groups, and the private sector were essential to making progress.

The SGF commended the foundation for blending awareness, advocacy, and direct support in line with the government’s vision of a healthier population.

Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, represented by Uche Nwokwu, the national coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, urged screening organisations to provide follow-up care for patients diagnosed with cancer.

He warned that some patients die not from cancer itself, but from the psychological trauma that follows a diagnosis.

Mya Ngon, WHO Team Lead for Disease Prevention and Control, stated that the establishment of the MACS Foundation demonstrated growing community resolve against breast cancer.

She added that public awareness and early detection were vital to ensuring no woman was left behind due to a lack of access or information.

According to GLOBOCAN 2022, Nigeria recorded 32,278 new breast cancer cases and 16,332 deaths, while Africa had over 198,000 new cases and 91,000 deaths.

Globally, breast cancer accounted for about 2.3 million new cases and 666,000 deaths, representing nearly 24 per cent of all female cancers.

October is commemorated globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

(NAN)