The Cancer Consciousness Initiative, an NGO, has partnered with the Adamawa Government to raise cancer awareness and improve access to early diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Annette Ayuba, Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist and Executive Officer of the initiative, disclosed this in Yola on Thursday while unveiling the 2026 Pinktober Cancer Awareness North-East Campaign.
The three-day campaign, running from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, is themed “Awareness to Access”.
Ayuba said the campaign would address barriers preventing women from accessing timely and appropriate cancer care.
She said awareness alone was insufficient without access to diagnostic and treatment services.
According to her, the campaign would provide breast examinations, ultrasound scans, biopsies and other investigations for women with suspicious breast lumps or lesions, as well as cervical examinations.
“Many women understand breast cancer symptoms but struggle to access diagnostic services because of financial constraints.
“What they need is access to diagnosis and treatment,” she said.
Ayuba, who also leads the Tele-Oncology Hub programme, said community social navigators would guide affected women through healthcare services.
She said the navigators would help patients attend medical appointments, obtain referrals and maintain contact with qualified healthcare professionals.
The wife of the Adamawa Governor, Hajiya Lami Fintiri, commended the initiative for its contributions to cancer awareness, screening, treatment and patient support.
Fintiri, represented by Dr Dauda Wadunga, Chief Medical Director of Adamawa State University Teaching Hospital, Yola, said cancer advocacy was important for improving prevention and management.
She said her cancer advocacy initiative had supported free cervical and breast cancer screening for at least 5,000 women across the state.
Fintiri added that the initiative had also supported treatment, rehabilitation and programmes to help patients regain stability after cancer care.
She urged stakeholders to sustain the campaign and ensure women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, could access appropriate medical services.
Earlier, Prof. Adamu Girei, Chief Medical Director of Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, represented by Dr Maisaratu Bakari, called for stronger collaboration to combat breast cancer and other forms of the disease.
Girei said awareness could reduce preventable deaths by encouraging women and men to seek medical attention early.
He said breast, cervical and prostate cancers were not automatic death sentences, adding that early detection and appropriate treatment could improve survival chances.
He said the campaign would help correct misconceptions, provide accurate information and encourage people to seek prompt medical evaluation.
Dr Sulaiman Bashir, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, pledged support for expanding cancer awareness and healthcare access.
Bashir said the agency had more than 7,136 personnel and 1,073 healthcare facilities across the state’s 21 local government areas.
He said the network would support community awareness, early referrals and access to cancer-related healthcare services across Adamawa. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
