The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bauchi State chapter, has successfully screened over 1,000 women for breast and cervical cancers in the Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State. This outreach, conducted at General Hospital Alkaleri, is part of a broader screening programme sponsored by the NEDC, which extends its reach across all six North-East states: Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi.

Dr. Ummahani Jafaru, President of MWAN and a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, highlighted the critical nature of breast and cervical cancers, describing them as significant public health concerns and leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women both in Nigeria and globally. She noted that MWAN's core mandate includes organizing such screening programmes, alongside advocacy visits and awareness campaigns, to educate women and children about prevalent diseases.

Alarming statistics underscore the urgency of these initiatives. In Nigeria, approximately 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer are recorded annually, leading to nearly 8,000 deaths. Globally, a woman succumbs to cervical cancer every two minutes. Dr. Ummahani emphasized the global commitment to reduce these tragic deaths through robust prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. She referenced the World Health Organization's (WHO) ambitious 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination, which aim for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), 70% of women to be screened at ages 35 and 45 using high-precision methods, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment. Achieving high vaccination coverage, strong screening uptake, and effective treatment services, she stressed, can significantly reduce new cases and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

The importance of community-level sensitisation was also a key point, particularly for women in rural areas who often lack awareness about these diseases or their consequences. Dr. Ummahani affirmed the necessity of reaching these communities to educate, enlighten, and help them understand the existence and preventability of these cancers.

Representing the NEDC, Mohammed Amir Ali, the health desk officer in the Bauchi office, explained that the commission initiated the screening program in response to the rising cancer cases observed across the North-East region. He reiterated NEDC's unwavering dedication to enhancing healthcare access and improving women’s well-being in the area. Ali underscored that breast and cervical cancers are indeed preventable and curable, especially when detected early, and that the commission's goal is to bridge the gap in access to screening services, ensuring every woman has the chance to safeguard her health.

Beneficiaries of the program, including Fatima Adamu and Hajara Yakubu, expressed their profound gratitude to both the NEDC and MWAN for bringing such vital screening exercises directly to their community. Their appreciation highlighted the impact of accessible healthcare services.

Dr. Habiba Isma’il from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) voiced concern over the unfortunate trend of many women only seeking medical attention when their cancer cases have advanced to late stages. At such points, she noted, curative options are severely limited, with only palliative care available to alleviate pain and enhance quality of life. Dr. Habiba passionately advocated for early detection, demonstrating to participants how to perform crucial breast self-examinations and strongly recommending regular ‘pap smear or VIA screenings.’ She warned that while early diagnosis can lead to a cure, delays severely restrict treatment options, stressing, “Early detection saves lives. If cancer is diagnosed early, it can be cured. But when we delay, our options become limited.” She further advised women to conduct monthly breast examinations, ideally after their menstrual cycle, and to immediately report any observed abnormalities such as lumps, skin dimpling, redness, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape.