In a bid to combat the negative statistics surrounding Cervical Cancer in Nigerian women, the Goodway Foundation has taken the initiative by organising a Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Campaign in Alimosho community.

In partnership with Breast Without Spot (BWS), the foundation held free screenings. It tested women within the Ikotun Area in Alimosho, Lagos, and were properly sensitised about the effects of the dreadful ailment, and how it could be adequately prevented.

Founder of the Goodway Foundation, Chioma Ikokwu stated that the Awareness Campaign was part of the organisation’s long-standing core of improving the standard of living in underprivileged and underserved communities.

“The Goodway Foundation focuses on poverty alleviation, education and the general health care and welfare of women and children in our communities. Apparently, about 70,000 people die from cancer in Nigeria generally, and a very high percentage of that is breast cancer, as that is the most common form of cancer. It only makes us place our focus on breast cancer and cervical cancer, which is actually the second most common form of cancer in the world,” she added
An advocate for women’s health and founder of BWS, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye who is also Director at Centre for Clinical Trials, University of Nigeria, College of Medicine said that initiatives like this were necessary, as the high rates of ignorance regarding the disease were baffling. She noted that most women in rural communities don’t believe in breast cancer and don’t even know what breast cancer is, hence the need for awareness.

“What people don’t understand is that when a family member suffers breast cancer, there are chances that it could be hereditary, hence the need for screening.

Women must understand the changes that go through their bodies – the orange effect or a milky discharge is not normal. They should understand the changes that happen, most times they wait till they feel pains or the breast gets bigger before presenting themselves at the hospital. In fact, a woman with late-stage cervical cancer cannot have people stay around her because of the severity of what the breast will look like.

“Research found out that the Human Papillomavirus vaccines (HPV) protected young girls when taken for up till 15 years, which is a long window to prevent cancer, hence young women are strongly advised to take the vaccine.”

While medical coordinator for BWS, Dr. Shola Olutayo, noted that the Federal Government in partnership with Lagos State are giving free HPV Vaccines, to girls between the age of 9 to 14. “We’re imploring all mothers and school proprietors to bring out their children to get this vaccine because if they take this vaccine, they will not have cervical cancer in the future. The women that already have the ailment need to come out for screening because they won’t know that they have it, as it takes a long time for cervical cancer to show up.”

A beneficiary of the programme, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olayinka, expressed her gratitude to the foundation for bringing this initiative to the Ikotun community. “I thank God for being able to participate. When the enlightenment programme was performed, I was told that I would need to take an additional test. I am grateful to the Goodway Foundation for allowing me to retake the test.” she said.