Breast Cancer: Ekiti Gov’s Wife Sponsors 200 Women for Free Breast Scan.

Breast Cancer: Ekiti Gov’s Wife Sponsors 200 Women for Free Breast Scan.

200 women, drawn from various local governments of Ekiti State, have been given the opportunity to undergo a free mammogram and breast scan, courtesy the wife of Ekiti Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji

The free scanning was announced on Wednesday during an awareness programme in commemoration of the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness themed: “No One should face Breast Cancer Alone” at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti

Speaking at the event, Dr. Oyebanji advised women to make early breast cancer screaning a top priority to avoid full-blown cancer.

According to the first lady, 150 women ranging from age 18 and 40 years would benefit from free breast scan while another set of 50 women ranging from age 40 years and above would benefit from mammogram examination.

She called for more and aggressive awareness in the state for every woman to be captured in breast scan and examination which she said have been heavily subsidized by the state government for easy accessibility, irrespective of class and social status.

To this end, Dr. Oyebanji called on all religious leaders, market women, and female political leaders to champion the cause and intensify cancer awareness campaign.

Speaking further, the first lady commended her husband, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for his various interventions in the health sector and for providing the Mammogram machine at Adunni Olayinka Women Diagnostic and Wellness Center for women in the state.

A resource person at the event, Dr Julius Olaogun, an Associate Professor of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, EKSUTH, stated that the breast cancer awareness campaign was vital, pointing out that the need for aggressive sensitization has become necessary more than ever before.

He encouraged healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, abstaining from smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, among others.

By following all these rules, the expert argued that cancer risk can significantly be reduced to the bearest minimum.

“Cancer is not a death sentence, early detection is very key and it’s preventable. Every woman should hence, examine her breast at least once a month,” he said.

Also, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani and her counterpart from Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Peju Babafemi said the governor is committed to the good health and well-being of the people of the state.

They urged women to take advantage of the mammogram machine provided in the hospital by the government.

In particular, Dr. Filani disclosed that women from neighbouring states have been taking advantage of the mammogram machine service in the Teaching Hospital and so urged Ekiti women not to be left behind from benefiting from the gesture.

He noted that all women were eligible for early screening and prevention and called for an extension of the campaing across the state to enlighten the people.

Two breast cancer survivors, Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Bello and Mrs Titilayo Oluwadare narrated how early detection saved their lives and called on women to prioritize their health by ensuring that they visit health facilities for breast examination and diagnosis regularly.