World Cancer Day: Groups Offer Free Cancer Screening to Women in Onitsha

By Izunna Okafor, Onitsha

Three non-government and non-profit-making organisations — Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Onitsha; Development Initiative for Technology and Empowerment (DITEm), and Pink Health Foundation —have offered free cancer screening to 53 women, as part of their activities to mark the 2022 World Cancer Day celebration.

Themed “#CloseThe CareGap”, the event, which held at St. Jude Parish, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State had over 150 women in attendance.

Speaking at the event, one of the key facilitators of the program and Founder, Development Initiative for Technology and Empowerment (DITEm), Dr. Ngozi Perpetua Osuchukwu explained that the primary essence of the event was to create awareness and share necessary information on cancer, as well as educate the women on the best and proactive ways to prevent and overcome it.

While appreciating her co-hosts for identifying with the cause, Dr. Osuchukwu who is also a Librarian, hailed the participants (who are mostly women) for making out time to attend the event; even as she reminded them of the need to regularly examine their body, for early detection and prevention.

Earlier welcoming the participants, the Director, JDPC Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Dr. Edwin Udoye of St. Jude Parish, Fegge, Onitsha, who provided the venue for the event described it commendable; while in his opening remarks, the Program Officer, JDPC Onitsha, Mr. Nwaekeagu Shadrach, explained the significance of the World Cancer Day, and advised the participants to always avail themselves for such all-important sensitisation program.

In their separate lectures, Dr. Ada Williams, who spoke on Cervical Cancer; Dr. Okoye Oluebube Alphonsus, who spoke on Breast Cancer; and Pharm. Umeh Ifeoma Blessing of the Pink Health Foundation, who also spoke on cervical cancer explained the various types of cancer, their symptoms, as well as their preventive measures. They also harped on the need for regular body examination and screening.

In a remark, one of the participants, Mrs Cynthia Enwonwu-Arinze appreciated the organizers of the event and urged fellow participants to regularly practice and put into good use all they were taught at the event.

Free cervical screening for 53 women, breast examination, questions and answers, as well as experience sharing on cancer formed the highpoints of the event.