BWS Raises Awareness For Vaccination Against Cervical Cancer Among Youths

The National Project Manager of a non-governmental organization, Breast Without Sport (BWS), Ms Funmilola James, has said that there is a great opportunity to reduce cervical cancer in Nigeria if only all boys and girls can be vaccinated against Human papilloma virus (HPV)-The virus that causes cervical cancer.

She spoke during BWS awareness walk to promote vaccine against cervical cancer in Lagos on Thursday as part of the activities to mark this year World Cancer Day Youth Jamboree 2016.

President and Founder of BWS, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye in a press release said that even though the HPV vaccine’s potency is maximal when given to a male or female between 11-12 years, the vaccine is recommended for both male and female from ages 9-26 years.

“Through the support of the American Cancer Society (ACS), our NGO will be conducting a one-year evaluation of the school-based vaccination project we launched in 2014 with the aim of determining how to better strengthen advocacy for HPV vaccination in Nigeria.”

According to James the HPV vaccines are very expensive at the moment and BWS, under their ‘school-based cervical cancer vaccination awareness initiative’ works closely with schools to ensure school-aged children are vaccinated against cervical cancer.

“By serving as the link between the vaccine manufacturers, their distributors and the schools. Through this initiative, we ensure that the three doses of the HPV vaccines are obtained at the least possible price of N18,000 (Eighteen Thousand Naira). We are glad that so far, Effortwill Academy, Ejigbo and Dee Unique Schools, Ipaja have commenced HPV vaccination of their students. We hope more schools will respond and parents will consent to, and pay for their children to get vaccinated against HPV.”

James further disclosed that ‘as cancer prevention advocates, the BWS is following up with the activities of the Federal Ministry of Health and they are now aware that the Government is working very closely with the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) to obtain the HPV vaccine for Nigeria.

Honourable Desmond Elliot-The Honourable member of the Lagos State House of Assembly who joined the youths for the vaccine for cancer walk on Thursday commended the efforts of BWS and the youths.

He said that he will work towards co-sponsoring a motion in the Lagos State House of Assembly, that will increase advocacy for HPV vaccination into the State’s already-existing cancer control program office.

MD/CEO 5D Cinema, Lagos, Mr Owolabi Kayode one of the sponsors of the event said that all hands should be on deck to encourage early detention of cancer.