NIMR OFFICIALLY FLAG OFF CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION: "22 FEMALES DIE OF THIS DISEASE DAILY" - PROF. OLIVER EZECHI

NIMR OFFICIALLY FLAG OFF CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION: "22 FEMALES DIE OF THIS DISEASE  DAILY" - PRO.F OLIVER EZECHI 

By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel  INSIGHT GLOBAL NEWS

Cervical cancer may not be known to all especially people in rural areas but it is the fourth most common disease among women globally. The cancer of the uterus is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) the most common sexually acquired infection and often impacts young adults who become sexually active early  takes  life every 2 minutes globally.

In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common and second to breast cancer among its female population. Over 36 million women over 15 years in Nigeria are at risk of developing cervical cancer with over 12,000 cases diagnosed annually, 8,000 death translating to 33 new cervical cancer and 22 death from the disease daily.

For awareness and intensive prevention of this women's terminal disease, The Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in collaboration with The Access HPV team comprising experts from Saint Louis University Missouri USA in a press briefing headed by Prof. Oliver Ezechi and his team, invited stakeholders like school proprietors, religious leaders, security agencies, community heads, market women and men as well as pupils and students for the January 18th kick-start project held at the Institute auditorium. 

Though, the disease takes almost 22 lives daily, yet cervical cancer is one of the most preventable with successfully treatable forms if detected, diagnosed early and managed effectively Professor Oliver affirmed.

The Director of Research and  Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist made a pronouncement that  "The earlier cervical cancer is detected, the higher the chance of survival".

For this disease to be eliminated in Nigeria before 2030, the team will utilize the (4GW) method same methodology used to increase access to HIV testing through HIV self-testing ( I TEST Projects') which produced credible evidence that opened the call for research, allowed the identification of locally relevant messages and dissemination techniques with input from stakeholders to improve outcomes presently ongoing in 30 local government across 14 states which are Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, FCT, Ebonyi, Rivers, Akwa- Ibom, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Delta including Cross- River.

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Though, not all women in Nigeria will be vaccinated yet  Prof. Olive Ezechi looks forward to a multi-stakeholders approach across health care, government, corporate bodies, women's rights advocacy organisations and others.