From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Reprieve may soon come the way of cancer patients in Ondo State as the governor’s wife and initiator of Breast Cancer Association (BRECAN), Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, raised N200 million for their care.
She said: “As a cancer patient of over 20 years, I am still looking as if nothing is worrying my health. This is the same way I want every cancer patient to look.” Her intention, she disclosed, was to save lives of all cancer patients in the country, using the state as the starting point. The vision to save cancer patients came as a result of her experience as a cancer patient.
At the event, the story of a 45-year-old breast cancer victim from Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government was brought forward. To this, Akeredolu forced everybody including journalists to contribute to the fund. Chairman of the local government, Mrs. Morenike Alaka, said of the victim, Mrs. Kehinde Akingboye:
“I got the report of the distressed woman through our Primary Health Care officers who went on visitation and they led me to the woman. When I saw her, I wept uncontrollably as she narrated her predicament in the past 20 years.
“What we discovered was that the woman and her husband were afraid that the breasts would be cut off if she visited hospital and consequently kept the pains internally for the past two decades.”
Akingboye said: “I have lost all hope. We have sold so many things and many spiritualists received money from us. We had done rituals of all kinds but to no avail. My gratitude to Mrs. Akereolu. I will forever be grateful to her for her love and concern for the downtrodden.”
A consultant at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Dr. Aba Katung, said there were various stages of breast cancer, adding that the disease should be eliminated before it reached the advanced stage, which he said has no cure.
He, however, allayed the fears of victims that the disease was without treatment: “It is not a license to death as being proclaimed. The disease can be cured and testimonies abound to show this.” He said no matter the stage of the disease, victims should not keep themselves indoor but visit hospitals.
Akeredolu pledged to continue with her advocacy programme on breast cancer: “Being a victim of breast cancer, I am aware that quite a number of women are dying of the disease because of ignorance and lack of fund. However, I will continue to raise the consciousness of everybody to support women suffering from the disease.”
She said the state has a population of over three million people, stressing that if only one million drop N200 per head, it would go a long way to support women suffering in various stages of the disease. She said BRECAN would ensure that women no longer die of cancer of the breast as awareness programme and regular breast check would be organised for women without any financial implication.
She pointed out that regular checking of breasts and knowledge of the disease are major ways through which breast cancer can be prevented:
“Breast cancer is more rampart among ladies between the ages of 18 and 20. Breast cancer can be controlled if it is discovered early enough. Therefore, it is very important for ladies and women to check their breasts regularly. They also need good knowledge of the disease and awareness on its control.
“Cancer of the breast is not a death sentence. Those with breast cancer can live well. I discovered that I have breast cancer 20 years ago and here I am today looking as if nothing is wrong in my system.
“I got to know of the disease at the age of 42 because of lack of awareness. I have been living healthy since then till now. Breast cancer is predominantly woman’s disease but there is nothing that affects women that does not affect men too.
“It is essential for the society to pay attention to the disease, which is seriously ravaging and killing women almost daily.
“As a survivor, I can authoritatively say that breast cancer is not a death sentence. With breast cancer a woman can live long provided she takes care of herself.
“It is not something that should be hidden. We need adequate information about the disease and we need to let everyone know about it.
There is no reason for anyone to discriminate against any cancer patient. With prompt medical attention, life is guaranteed for patients.”
Akeredolu advocated for house-to-house sensitisation on the control of the disease. She urged women to check their breasts regularly and make necessary observations, even as she called on husbands to assist their wives in checking their breasts regularly and in case any lump is found, they should take necessary medical steps immediately.
She advised women to do away with misconceptions about cancer of the breasts, expressing worries that not all medical practitioners specialize in the treatment of the disease: “Nigerian government has not done well in the control of cancer of the breast.” She advocated for the establishment of Cancer Treatment Centres (CTC) in every state.