Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Imo State chapter, has called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to intensify efforts at reducing the rate of cancer cases in the country.
This was as the group, on Saturday, embarked on an awareness campaign in, Owerri to mark its yearly cancer awareness day.
According to the group, the campaign was to educate the people on the risk of the disease and to raise funds for research into its causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The campaign involved volunteers and partners led by the Dean School of Languages, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Dr. Lucy Apakama; and the Chairperson of Imo BRECAN, Mrs. Maureen Iwuchukwu.
In her welcome address, Iwuchukwu stated that prioritisation of breast cancer awareness and crowd funding by government and individuals must be held to a greater esteem with reference to over $3 million budget to fund cancer control and kick-start the establishment of a cancer centre in Imo.
“In the past years, BRECAN Imo, with the support of Chief Betty Akeredolu, a proud daughter of Imo, has made giant strides in breast cancer and general cancer-related awareness programmes and in providing every necessary assistance at her disposal to cancer patients that call the attention of BRECAN with supports from the National Exco of BRECAN and partners through her crowd funding,” she said.
One of the breast cancer survivors, Ijeoma Ugwu, while sharing her survival story, thanked Iwuchukwu for her resilience and support.
She disclosed that she was able to survive her case because of early detection and assistance from her family and BRECAN Imo that made her see beyond breast cancer stigma and misconception.
Highlight of the event tagged ‘BRECAN Imo Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness’ was the presentation of awards to Mrs. Apakama and Miss Petronilla Onukwufor of Orient FM/TV, Owerri, for their services to humanity and active participation in the fight against cancer in Nigeria.
