Akeredolu calls for more orientation on early cancer detection

Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, on Monday assured of his administration’s commitment to prevent untimely deaths among breast cancer patients in the state.

Akeredolu who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the visit of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) to his office said his administration would take all necessary steps towards the treatment of the disease.

According to him, many patients are not lucky to survive the disease because of its deadly nature, saying “If you are not lucky, no amount of money can save from the pangs of this deadly disease.”

Akeredolu said he had committed a lot of his personal resources to fight breast cancer for a long time now, said early detection of the disease will go a long way to prevent it from advancing.

While speaking earlier, the National President of BRECAN, Mrs Juliet Ogbuogu, who described Akeredolu as a unique and an ambassador of BRECAN, said the governor had always been a supportive person.

Ogbuogu had asked that cancer treatment centre should be established in Ondo State and stated that “We want breast cancer screening machine in Ondo State.”

Ogbuogu in particular urged Akeredolu to use his good office to lobby the state House of Assembly to make case for breast cancer control in the budget to support the disease’s prevention advocacy.

Also speaking, founder of BRECAN, who is also the lady of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu, lamented the dearth of cancer treatment centres in the country. She called on the governor to hearken to the cries of the women and ensure that Ondo State establishes a treatment centre.

While responding to the demands by the BRECAN, Akeredolu recalled that a report had earlier recommended that a cancer treatment centre should be established in the state.

The governor therefore assured that the centre would be established to ensure that the disease is detected earlier for treatment.

He said the fight against breast cancer treatment required the cooperation of all.