L-R: Betta Edu, Inyang Asibong and Ani Nchiewi
Charles Ekanem|20 October 2016
Yesterday was a day set aside by World Health Organization to tackle the growing rate of Breast Cancer in the World. Cross River State Health sector was at the fore front of the fight in Nigeria as it concerns Breast Cancer awareness walk and screening.
The event was organized by Medical Women Association of Nigeria, CRS chapter in strong partnership with Mediatrix Development Foundation, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, State Ministry Of Health, Cancer Registry, Asi Ukpo Diagnostic Centre, Aruba Medical Center and a host of other partners.
The World Cancer Day Awareness walk which was tagged "The Walk, Dance and Race Against Breast Cancer" took off from Millennium Park to Calabar Municipality Council. Stating these why addressing the mammoth crowd at Marian Market the erudite DG of state Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Betta Edu, noted that Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency noted that cancer is curable if detected early.
She said for 2016 Breast Cancer Day, "we want to tell women those simple things to look out for: if the skin of your breast change colour or it becomes wrinkled like the back of an orange, if you feel limb in the breast or it is paining you or when you squeeze your nipple blood or greenish fluid come out, you should seek for help immediately. She advised on monthly breast examination".
After the walk, all the women gathered at Calabar Municipality where the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Dr Mrs Linda Ayade addressed her women.
Wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade who was ably represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Dr Inyang Asibong said Breast Cancer occurs when the cells of the breast begin to divide without control, grow out of proportion and invade other tissues. She chastised the populace to do monthly self examination and breast ultrasound scan once every year for women below 40 years and mammogram for women above 40 years. She thanked the partners and every individuals who sacrificed their time by volunteering to be part of the walk. She assured them of State Government support in the fight against breast cancer.
According to her the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the fight against cancer, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease is key to overcoming mortality. She advised the market people and members of the public to stay away from alcohol, tobacco, undue exposure of their breast to radiation among others. She advised women to take lots of vegetables and fruits, exercise more, breast feed their children exclusively for 6 months and for up to 18months while avoiding carcinogenic substances. She encouraged them to seek help early.
The DG, Dr Edu who also spoke at that gathering said the Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, 2 weeks ago laid the foundation stone for a cancer specialist center in partnership with Asiukpo diagnostic center. She said this was timely as it will provide specialist care for cases found during screening in the rural and urban areas. She also noted that the new Ayade Care (state health insurance scheme will cover cancer patients because of Sen. Prof Ben Ayades commitment to cancer care in CRS. She assured cross Riverians that more sensitization will be done in our rural communities while urging them to always seek clinical breast examination at Primary health centre or any health facility close to them.
She call on Cross Riverians to support His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade who is poised to reducing the rate of cancer mortality in Cross River State. Governor and his wife Dr. Linda Ayade are very passionate about the health of Cross Riverians.
Finally President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (NWAN) CRS chapter, Dr Ani Nchiewi said it was very vital for the women to be aware of dangers breast cancer can cause to them which some cases do lead to early grave. According to her 1 out of 25 women die from breast cancer in Nigeria and that is why CRS is taking measures to curb the menace from spreading. Dr Ani who mostly spoke in English and efik to the women in her words said "when you have lump, dimpling, pulled in nipple, dripping, redness rash and skin changes which are signs of early detection. She told the women to always visit their clinic at 2 Moore road ( former maternity annex) Calabar, UCTH, General Hospital and Primary Health centers. She thank all those who supported the event in one way or the other noting that medical women will continue to partner with the Government of CRS to do more
Present at the road walk were Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Stella Odey, Acting executive Director of MDF, Mr Jeffrey Adamade, Mrs Also mother of Governors wife, Mrs Phil Inyang, Mrs Legor Idagbor, senior Doctors from medical women association, Lions Club, Bikers Association, Directors from many MDAs, NMA, Mrs Betty Enun, Representatives of AsiUkpo Diagnostic Centre, Women In politics, wives of commissioners, PDP woman leader, UCTH and School children.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
