Dr. Yewande Omikunle, a primary healthcare consultant and Director of Public Affairs at the Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation (SAOF Cancer Charity), has called for heightened awareness and education regarding breast cancer in Nigeria. This appeal coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated annually in October.
Dr. Omikunle highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive health policy reforms to effectively enhance awareness and access to breast cancer screening. She expressed concern that despite ongoing efforts to promote awareness, many communities remain inadequately informed about the disease.
She stated, “We must know that numerous ethical issues apply to breast cancer and other chronic cancer diagnoses, including informed consent, education of relatives and the public, patients’ comfort in discussing their diagnoses and treatment, access to care, and allocation of scarce resources.”
Breast cancer continues to be a significant health challenge in Nigeria, with many women being diagnosed at late stages of the disease, often resulting in high mortality rates. Dr. Omikunle attributed this to a lack of knowledge, deeply rooted cultural and religious beliefs, and barriers that prevent regular screening.
To combat these issues, the SAOF cancer charity is actively engaged in public awareness campaigns aimed at dispelling myths, providing accurate information, and advocating for affordable and accessible screening services across the country. Dr. Omikunle emphasized the need for a collective societal effort to overcome these barriers, ensuring that all women have the necessary knowledge and resources for early detection.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month progresses, she urged individuals and communities to unite in the fight against breast cancer. “By fostering a culture of openness, education, and proactive healthcare, we can work towards reducing breast cancer mortality and improving the quality of life for Nigerian women,” she stated.
Dr. Omikunle concluded by calling for stronger government intervention to support existing initiatives and ensure that breast cancer education reaches all corners of Nigeria.