Amosun Promotes Early Cancer Detection at Screening Event

At the flag-off of the 2026 free breast and cervical cancer screening at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, former Ogun State First Lady Olufunso Amosun urged women not to perceive cancer as a death sentence. She stressed that early detection and prompt treatment can significantly save lives.

Amosun noted that breast cancer incidence in Nigeria has increased by nearly 300 percent over the past three decades, with 32,278 new cases and 16,332 deaths reported in 2022, marking Nigeria as having the highest cancer burden in Africa. She emphasized that survival rates for early-stage diagnoses can exceed 90 percent, compared to less than 30 percent for advanced stages.

Reflecting on the previous year's screening, she mentioned that over 600 women benefited, with 11 undergoing free lumpectomy surgeries funded by the UPLIFT Development Foundation. Amosun encouraged participants to prioritize preventive healthcare and advocate for cancer awareness in their communities.

Medical Consultant Ebenezer Nkom supported her message, warning against myths surrounding breast cancer treatment.