The President of Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Dr. Adamu Umar has advocated expansion in the cancer health fund that is currently operational in the country which covers breast, cervical and prostate cancers, to include other cancer types so that the sufferers can be financially relieved. Umar made this call while speaking during the fifth annual memorial cancer awareness lecture of the Ellen Adeyinka Anjorin Cancer Foundation (EAACF), with the theme, “Targeted therapies in cancer treatment”, held recently online.
Umar asked that more hospitals be included in cancer treatment, so that the patients could get some soccour, as he noted that cancer is a very expensive disease to treat even to the rich, talk less of the poor in the society. According to him, cancer is one monster that people need to come together to fight, as he stressed the importance of sustained advocacy, knowledge sharing, to defeat the disease. He commended the EAACF for the consistency over the years in immortalising the name of their late mother, and creating a lasting legacy, as volunteers and the clinicians that consistently answer the call of the foundation to create and share knowledge and impact on the lives of others over the years.
He said cancer is going to be a disease that has particular attention because the current government is committed to addressing the scourge, in the creation of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, to ensure that the alarming rate of mortality and morbidity is reduced. Dr. Mutiu Jimoh, clinical and radiation oncologist, UCH, Ibadan, speaking on “Targeted therapy for breast cancer”, disclosed that different modalities are used in the management and treatment of the disease, harping on the interplay between genetic and environmental factors which can influence the occurrence of breast cancer.
On diagnosis, he highlighted the role of ultrasound for the younger age group and mammogram for older people for early detection, adding that if breast cancer is dwetected at an earlier stage, there are good chances of survival. Msgr. Livinus Ukah, the Spiritual Director of the foundation, commended the founder for establishing the foundation, thanking God for empowering humans through technology to help people in the third world particularly, to overcome the menace of cancer. For his part, Dr. Olusegun Anjorin, the Founder, appreciated all within and outside the academia for their dedication, support and generosity.
According to him, EAACF has had outreach programmes, including lectures on cancer to members of the Girls’ Brigade 27 Ibadan company during their 40th anniversary celebration, and on prostate and colorectal cancer. He noted that anniversaries are times to reflect on past successes, and opportunity to recommit oneself to the future, adding that the lecture is a testament to ongoing dedication to finding a cure and bringing respite to cancer patients. EAACF is a registered NGO founded to serve as a living memorial in honour of Mrs. Ellen Adeyinka Anjorin. Within the past five years, the foundation has made giant strides and contributed positively in the cancer space, both locally and internationally.
