Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Isabella Ayuk, on Thursday rolled out free cervical cancer screening for women of Ushafa community in Bwari Area Council, FCT.
The Business Administration graduate of the University of Calabar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gesture was part of activities to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day by the Isabella Ayuk Foundation.
According to her, the foundation, which is her humanitarian initiative, empowers and provides medical assistance to less privileged and rural women.
“Regular screening will help reduce cancer-related burdens and its consequent death rate in our society, and that is what we have decided to do for the women in this community.
“If identification of an ailment is done early enough, treatment could commence, leaving one with better chances of survival.
“If those who were diagnosed of cancer at a later stage had prior knowledge of the availability of cancer detection screening, they would have been able to access early treatment.
“Our belief supports the knowledge that early detection is a great tool to fighting and surviving cancer,’’ she said.
Ayuk, 31, said the forum also aimed to sensitise women of reproductive age on the need to go for periodic cervical cancer checks, whether they felt sick or not.
Dr Chimaijem Ikekeonwu, a team member with the Foundation, said many cancer-related deaths would have been preventable if the victims had availed themselves of compulsory cancer screening.
He noted that many Nigerians believe that there was no need for one to go for medical check-up when he or she was not ill.
“We understand the power of information and therefore, see the need to sensitise the public on the importance of healthcare and regular medical screenings.
“We will continue to emphasise on the need for early detection and how it serves as proactive measure to fight and survive cancer,” he said.
Over 100 women attended the free cervical cancer screening which held at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ushafa.
The participants received free cervical cancer screening and vaccination, as well as blood pressure and sugar level tests.
A beneficiary, Mrs Godipa Golji, told NAN after she was screened that “I was of the opinion that there was no need for medical check if I’m not ill.
“I am now well informed that people should not wait until they are sick before seeking medical advice or information because it might be too late then.
“I commend the organisers of the programme and urge all women to ensure they get screened.”
