Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges of our time, affecting millions of lives worldwide.
Between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “Close the cancer gap.” This year marks the third and final year of the campaign. The theme for this year is “Together, we challenge those in power”. This theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world.
To commemorate this year's World Cancer Day, the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, DEPOWA, in collaboration with Partnership for the Eradication of Cancer in Africa (PECA), is taking proactive steps to combat cancer by sensitizing and conducting free cancer screening for over 200 wives of personnel.
Since Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa's assumption into office, she has conducted free cervical cancer screening for over 250 women in October 2023 and mammograms for over 80 women between October 2023 and January 2024 and today, over 200 women across all services are currently benefiting from this program.
Mrs Musa in her remarks at the 2024 World Cancer Day Commemoration which took place today Friday 16th February 2024 at General Gabriel Abayomi Olonidakin Multi-Purpose Hall DEPOWA School, MOG Cantonment, Asokoro Abuja stressed that today marks an important milestone as the DEPOWA launched the routinization of cervical and breast cancer screening, a substantial step towards early detection, timely intervention, and, ultimately, saving lives.
"By making these screenings a frequent part of healthcare services, we empower individuals to take charge of their health, detect cancer at its earliest stages, and access the care and support they need.
"But our efforts must continue. Closing the care gap requires a collective commitment to raising awareness, advocating for fair access to healthcare services, and investing in research and innovation. It requires us to stand in solidarity with those affected by cancer, offering support, compassion, and hope in their time of need.
"As we begin this journey, let us remember that each one of us has a role to play in shaping a world where cancer is no longer a death sentence but a disease that can be prevented, detected, and treated effectively. Together, let us close the care gap and pave the way towards a future free from the burden of can,er." she noted
The Guest Lecturer, Dr Tessy Oiza Ahmadu, a Consultant Oncologist and Nuclear Medicine Physician, Head, Oncology Unit FMC, Jabi encourages guests and members of the DEPOWA, NAOWA, NAGOWA, NOWA and POWA to take precautionary measure to prevent cancer and frequent examination of breasts to prevent cancer.
Dr Tessy Oiza Ahmadu gave tips for Cancer prevention, that is, modifying or avoiding key risk factors can significantly reduce the burden of cancer. These risk factors include Tobacco use including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, indoor smoke from household use of solid fuels, being overweight or obese, unhealthy diet with low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, alcohol use, improved Sexual health and prevention of STI and vaccination for Infection by hepatitis or other vaccine-preventable diseases.
She defined cancer as an abnormal growth of cells. Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multistage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour. These changes are the result of the interaction between a person's genetic factors and 3 categories of external agents.
According to the DEPOWA President, Mrs Musa, we must acknowledge the reality that cancer knows no boundaries. It affects individuals and communities worldwide, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. The middle of this reality lies an opportunity to bridge the gap in cancer care and to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against this disease.
The Commander, Defence Headquarters Medical Center, Navy Capt. Victor Igboezu said that cancer remained a public threat globally.
He noted that it was more in Africa and other developing countries due to limitations in access to diagnosis and treatment, adding that early detection and prompt intervention treatment could save lives.
He commended DEPOWA for the efforts in carrying out sensitisation on the deadly disease, particularly within the barrack.
According to him, creating awareness and sensitisation in terms of screening invariably will lead to early detection and prompt treatment.
Also, the President, of PECA, Benjamin Ogbalor, said that cancer could be eradicated through early detection and the taking of vaccines.
He said his organisation aimed to eradicate cancer from the face of the earth with the reality that cervical cancer could now be prevented through vaccination.
“Incidentally, that has not happened for so many women to have access to the HPV vaccine so that they can be spared on the scourge.
“Now, the women who missed out of that opportunity, we believe that we should work with DEPOWA to ensure that they are screened and see how they can also have access to the vaccine because the vaccine is now available,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the launching of the routinization of cervical and breast cancer screening, free cervical Cancer screening for all guests as well as free counselling.
The cancer situation in Africa is disheartening. In the year 2020, approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occurred on the continent, with around 700,000 deaths. About 50% of new cancer cases in adults in Africa are due to breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers. If urgent measures are not taken, cancer mortality in the region is projected to reach about one million deaths per year by 2030.
Also, in 20 years, cancer death rates in Africa will overtake the global average of 30%. This is more so because cancer survival rates in the WHO African region currently average 12%, much lower than the average of over 80% in High-Income Countries.