AMOSUN URGES WOMEN TO PRIORITISE EARLY CANCER DETECTION

Former Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun, has urged women to prioritise regular cancer screening and seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes.

Amosun made the call during the flag-off of the 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening programme organised at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

She said the annual exercise was designed to provide women with access to screening and early medical intervention, stressing that fear should not prevent people from seeking care. 

Amosun, who highlighted the growing burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, cited Global Cancer Observatory data showing that the country recorded 32,278 new breast cancer cases and 16,332 deaths in 2022.

She said early detection and timely treatment can improve outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer and encouraged participants in the programme to also share information about screening with their families and communities.

According to her, more than 600 women benefited from the foundation’s 2025 screening exercise, while 22 women were identified with breast-related concerns. Eleven women subsequently received free surgery and post-operative care.

The UPLIFT Development Foundation, which has operated the programme since 2012, has also supported cancer awareness, screening and healthcare facilities in Ogun State.

A medical consultant at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebenezer Nkom, also urged women to rely on proper medical screening and professional treatment rather than unverified remedies.