The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Gombe State Chapter, has expressed deep concern over the growing prevalence of cancers — particularly breast and cervical cancers — among women in the state and the North-East region at large.
The alarm was raised during a sensitisation visit to Science II Secondary School in Gombe, as part of activities marking the 2025 Cancer Awareness Month, themed “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”
Speaking at the event, Dr Fatima Bakari, Registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, emphasised the need for continuous awareness, early detection, and preventive actions to curb cancer-related deaths.
“Cancer is not a death sentence, but early detection and proper management are the keys to survival,” Dr Bakari said.
“We are working with the North-East Development Commission to take this message to schools, communities, and workplaces, ensuring that women and girls know how to protect themselves through vaccination, regular screening, and self-examination.”
She explained that the outreach aimed to educate young women and students on critical preventive measures, including the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, self-breast examination, and safe sexual practices to reduce the risk of cervical and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Dr Bakari further encouraged students and teachers to participate actively in the upcoming activities scheduled for the Cancer Awareness Week, which include a Tuesday walk against cancer and free cancer screening on Wednesday at designated health centres in Gombe.
According to her, the collaboration between MWAN and NEDC reflects a shared commitment to tackling the burden of cancer through education, advocacy, and access to screening services.
“Our goal is to build a community where every woman understands her body, takes charge of her health, and accesses care without fear or stigma,” she added.
Meanwhile, authorities of Science II Secondary School have commended the medical women’s group for their dedication to public health education, reiterating the Commission’s resolve to support initiatives that promote women’s health and well-being in the region.
They noted that awareness campaigns like this play a vital role in saving lives, especially in areas where late presentation and poor access to screening facilities often lead to avoidable deaths.
The sensitisation campaign at Science II Secondary School featured interactive health talks, demonstrations on breast self-examination, and distribution of informational materials on cancer prevention and management.
