A decade of dedicated service by Cancer Aware Nigeria, a non-profit organisation focused on prevention and early detection of breast and gynaecological cancers, has brought measurable impact in improving access to cancer education, screening, and treatment support for women across the country.

This was made known by the Founder and Executive Director, Tolulope Falowo, who said the organisation has become a key voice in cancer advocacy, serving as a lifeline for thousands of women through community programmes, public awareness initiatives, and patient support services aimed at reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses and preventing avoidable deaths.

Since its inception in 2015, Cancer Aware Nigeria has provided free cancer prevention and early detection services to over 20,000 women, including mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and Pap smears.

Beyond screening, the organisation has supported 1,840 women with free cancer treatment and post-treatment assistance, distributed over 100,000 cancer education materials nationwide, and mobilised 43,317 people to petition for the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation schedule.

Falowo emphasised the organisation’s mission, saying, “When we started Cancer Aware Nigeria, we were driven by a simple belief that no woman should die from a cancer that can be prevented or treated if found early. Ten years later, we are proud of the impact we have made, but remain determined to reach the many more who still lack access to education, screening, and treatment.”

She highlighted that the organisation’s success has been made possible through partnerships with donors, volunteers, and the wider community, which have enabled Cancer Aware Nigeria to reach more women and provide holistic support throughout their cancer journey.

Looking ahead, the organisation plans to expand its screening programmes to underserved communities, scale up patient navigation services, and continue national advocacy for policy reform, including strengthening cancer care infrastructure across the country.

Falowo noted that tackling cancer in Nigeria requires a multi-pronged approach: raising awareness, improving early detection, facilitating access to treatment, and influencing policy.

Through these combined efforts, Cancer Aware Nigeria aims to reduce the prevalence of late-stage cancer diagnoses, improve survival rates, and ensure that more women have the chance to live full, healthy lives.