Get Guardian on GoogleHealth sector stakeholders have called for concerted, community driven interventions to enhance early detection, broaden treatment access, and forge robust partnerships aimed at drastically reducing breast cancer mortality rates across communities in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru Chapter, Dr Bashiru Adebayo, emphasized that breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women, necessitating practical measures that extend far beyond seasonal awareness campaigns.
He stated this at a town hall meeting in Nguru, Yobe State to mark the launch of the Pinktober 2026 Northeast Cancer Campaign themed “Awareness to Access.”
The event was organised by the Cancer Consciousness Initiative (CCI) TeleOncology Hub in collaboration with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru, the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC), and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS).
At hybrid virtual meeting yesterday, Adebayo explained that the campaign seeks to bridge the gap between initial cancer diagnosis and actual healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved regions.
He said “This will create more awareness on cancer and enlighten the public on when and where to seek help. It will also enlighten people on how to access timely assessment and diagnosis, including available treatment and support for survivors.”
Adebayo advocated the establishment of dedicated multidisciplinary cancer management teams appealing to traditional and religious leaders to leverage their grassroots influence to dismantle social stigmas, promote health literacy, and encourage early medical consultation.
Furthermore, he urged healthcare professionals to intensify community education, champion routine breast self-examinations, and streamline prompt patient referrals.
A Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Hannatu Ayuba Usman, stressed that stakeholders must move past mere dialogue to active listening, community engagement, and practical problem-solving.
“Too often, people living with cancer suffer in silence, not only because of the disease, but because of fear, stigma, financial difficulties, misinformation, and the challenges of accessing appropriate care.
“That is why community engagement is at the heart of what we do,” Usman remarked.
She identified fear, financial hardship, and institutional barriers as primary factors driving late presentations.
To counter this, she highlighted the crucial role of community Patient Navigators, who serve as bridges linking grassroots populations with specialized clinical facilities, screenings, and continuous post-diagnosis care.
Usman also reiterated the necessity of close collaboration among oncologists, radiologists, histopathologists, and navigators to optimize treatment outcomes.
Consultant Histopathologist at FMC Nguru, Dr Adamu Isa, urged participants to act as ambassadors for cancer awareness within their homes, workplaces, and places of worship.
Similarly, Dr Thomas Nwobu, President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) FMC Nguru Branch, underscored treatment continuity and wider public involvement in preventive health strategies.
In her testimony, breast cancer survivor, Hajiya Hadiza Sagiru, encouraged women to embrace regular screenings.
She called on government authorities to subsidise oncology care, noting that financial accessibility remains the bedrock of survival.
The event campaign features community-wide breast screening exercises, health insurance enrolment drives, patient navigation support, and a high visibility Mega Rally Cancer Walk designed to sustain public engagement.
