The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA),   held a sensitisation campaign in commemoration of the 2023 Breast World Cancer Awareness Month.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja.

Gankwet said that the President of NAFOWA, Mrs Rakiya Abubakar, led members to joined other well-meaning individuals, corporate and government entities worldwide to beam attention and raise awareness about the ravaging disease.

He said the one-day event involved health walk, lecture and free cancer screening exercise.

In her remarks on the theme: “Routine Checkup, a Panacea for Early Detection” Mrs Abubakar said that available statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that about 78,899 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria in 2020 alone.

She said that women often bear the brunt as breast and cervical cancers account for over 40 per cent of all cancer-related deaths.

” These statistics are disturbing hence the need to pay greater attention and create awareness on the benefits of early detection, which is critical to the survivability of cancer patients.

“Health experts have also noted that if cancer is detected early and in the localized stage, a patient has a high chance of survival.

“This is why NAFOWA has taken it upon itself to lend its voices towards creating awareness across our various barracks and communities,” she said.

The NAFOWA president also announced the approval of free cancer screening for wives of NAF personnel and other services on Oct. 9 as well as 50 per cent discount for others between Oct. 10  and Oct. 17.

She added that the screening would take place at the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre situated at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja.

In her remarks, the former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulen Tallen, commended NAFOWA president for organising the event.

Tallen said the campaign would no doubt draw attention to the dangers breast cancer poses to women in general.

She emphasised the importance of routine medical checkups which allow for early detection of not only cancer, but other ailments that could be detrimental to women in particular.

“NAFOWA remains at the forefront of advocating for the well-being of women, youths and children.

“Aside its numerous poverty alleviation and empowerment schemes, it has, since 2008, established the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre which has continued to play a major role in the early detection of breast cancer among women,” the statement added.