The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has screened over 301 women for breast and cervical cancers in Enugu State as part of activities lined up for the association’s week.
GoldenNewsNg reports that the week, which is themed: “Early Detection of Cancer Saves Lives”, started from October 15 to October 22 with the continued massive public education on breast and cervical cancers and their early detection.
Conducting the screening, the President of MWAN Enugu Chapter, Dr Ijeoma Obianyo, said that the screening was free to mark MWAN week in the state.
Obianyo noted that those showing symptoms or signs of cancer were referred to cancer or oncology centres in tertiary health institutions within the state.
According to her, the screening is for adolescents upward to older women in order to ensure early detection of cancer and timely treatment to save the lives of women.
She said that the association had about 50 medical women volunteering their services to get women screened for the two cancers as well as giving them vital health education as well as counselling.
“Apart from today’s free screening for all women; on other days, women can walk in here, in MWAN Headquarters along Abakaliki Road, GRA Enugu, to have these screenings done with a little token,” she said.
She, however, advised women to “know your breast and do the self-breast examination at least every month”, adding “If you notice any abnormality, you rush to the association office for a medical expert to examine you”.
“For cervical cancer, ensure you do your screen at least every three years to ensure early detection of any abnormality.
“If, while doing your screenings for both cancers anything is detected, we will quickly give the personal referral to the tertiary health institutions for more comprehensive checks to be conducted and follow it up as well.
“Women should do regular cancer checks; even if they do not find anything; please check since early detection of cancer saves lives,” she added.
