In the attempt to address, the major challenges of diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer in the country, the Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), is set to hold a cancer summit between October 28 and 29, at Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja.
Addressing journalist in Lagos, the President of CEAFON, Prof. Durosinmi Etti, said there has been an increase in the number of breast cancer patients over the years, and this is due to “several challenges facing the effective tackling of the disease”.
“ For this reason, about 500 stakeholders are expected at the cancer summit to generate discussions on solutions and ways of creating awareness on the disease”.
Etti, who is also a cancer expert, disclosed that about 80 per cent of breast cancer patients report to the hospital with late stages three and four of the disease.
This he related to inadequate information, lack of medical personnel and oncologists as well as treatment centers, and “were these treatment centers are even available, we have problems with getting them to function”, he added.
According to him, the summit, which is the first of its kind, chose the theme “Stop Breast Cancer From Taking Her Life” in other to create awareness, because the disease has continued to change the course of many women’s life.
He cited that, else were in the world, more people are surviving because they are getting timely treatment, but it is been labeled as death sentence in Nigeria.
He remarked that, “Sadly there is little information and awareness on breast cancer and this is one of the major reasons we are having this summit, because prevention is better than cure”.
“We have only ten cancer treatment centers in the country, and out of those ten, only two are working”.
Etti, who is also The Chairman, National Consultative Committee on Cancer Control in Nigeria disclosed that,
We are hopeful that perhaps we will also be able to evolve and recommend a national policy guideline of breast cancer” at the summit. For this will go a long way in tackling the disease, he added.
“The whole idea is to get to the end point and make sure patients are not denied treatment, either because of lack of fund or lack of facility”.
In an effort to alleviate the cancer scourge that has taken away more of our loved ones, it is possible to decrease the cancer mortality if we all come together and play our roles, he said.
This summit advance the mission of CEAFON to improve cancer care in Nigeria through the education of stakeholders in health, policy makers, patients, as well as the general public.
The summit promises the presences of dignitaries such as Her Excellency, the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and the Permanent Secretary, FMoH, Mr. Linus Awute as the special guests among others.
