FOUNDER of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs Betty Akeredolu, who is the wife of Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, at the weekend led members and others on street walk in highbrow Lekki metropolis in the commercial city of Lagos to create awareness against the menace of breast cancer among African women.
The awareness, which kicked off at 8 in the morning from Admiralty Roundabout, Lekki through Elegushi Palace, terminating at Leisure Sports Park at Ikaate Elegushi, saw the Lekki metropolis recording a temporary shut down.
Popular actress, Ngozi Nwosu, youths, women, school children, among others wore a colourful pink shirt as they partook in the exercise, even as melodious music was made available to dance to.
In her opening remarks, Akeredolu said she founded BRECAN in 1998 to help create awareness on the dangers associated with breast cancer and how it could be well managed after surviving the diseases, urging the government and every Nigerian to join hands to wage war against the hegemony of cancer that kills over one million women in a year across the world.
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This she said was possible as the diagnosed for breast cancer was not a death sentence and could be well managed and cure totally if detected early.
According to her, breast cancer is not limited to women alone, saying men also have it and, therefore, urged to be conscious of any changes in their breast.
“BRECAN founded 21 years ago has been assisting breast cancer patients and others unknowingly living with the deadly virus with medical treatment and screening on the platter of gold.
“We must all put our hands together to wage war against the hegemony of cancer that kills over one million women in a year across the world. The stigma must also be looked into by the government so that people could be courageous to come out for treatment.
“Let me say very expressly that being diagnosed for Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, it can be well managed if detected early and cured 100%. I was mocked by friends and associated when I removed my breast over cancer but here I am today waxing stronger to the admiration of those mocking me then.
“We lost many women to cancer before they are not aware of their body status, early detection saves lives. And again, let me inform the general public that breast cancer is not limited to women alone, men also have it, so, I urge gentlemen here today to be conscious of any changes in their breast.
Speaking further, Akeredolu said it was illogical to regard breast cancer as a spiritual attack, warning that the disease was one of the realities that the 21st Century must confront sanctimoniously.
“Cancer is not a spiritual attack, it is good to pray to God, but if you notice changes in your breast, the best place to visit is the hospital,” she said.
The Lagos State Coordinator of BRECAN, Mrs Tovia Ojekere, took time to educate participants on the symptoms of breast cancer and how to properly examine breast, identifies lumps as well as how cervical cancer was often contracted through sexual intercourse, urging all sexually active women to go for a medical checkup as of when due.
Ojekere equally urged women to always examine their breast few days after completion of their monthly menstrual period so as to shake off cervical cancer off their body system and for easy detection.
Some indigent school children from Gifted Steppers, a non-governmental organization who thronged the event to display their dancing skills to the admiration of Akeredolu smiled home as they were dangled with gifts and scholarship offers by BRECAN.
The founder of the organization, Miss Oma Ihuoma, said all children in her NGO are orphans picked off from under the bridge and streets of Lagos, fed by her and are now undergoing training at a dancing school in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The walk also witnessed an American Flag Football exhibition match facilitated by two teams in the newly flagged off Shitsuke Flag Football league in Nigeria called The TROGONS and The GIDRONS.
Series of Free Health Services such as Blood Pressure examination, Cancer Screening, HIV Test and other activities such as football clinics with giveaways, catching drills and route drills also featured at the walk.
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