Female Doctors in Gombe Launch Campaign to Raise Awareness About Cancer

The North-East Development Commission, in partnership with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Gombe State Chapter, has expressed concern over the rising cases of cancer, particularly cervical and breast cancer, among women in the region.

During an awareness event held at the Chapel of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, on Sunday, Dr. Fatima Bakari, Registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said the initiative was part of activities marking the 2025 Cancer Awareness Month, themed “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”

She announced that the association would organise a road walk and free cancer screening exercise for Gombe residents on Wednesday.

“We are here to create awareness about breast and cervical cancer. These diseases remain leading causes of death among women of reproductive age, and our aim is to help women understand the importance of early detection. The earlier a cancer is discovered, the higher the chances of successful treatment,” Bakari said.

She explained that the outreach at the hospital chapel was part of a broader strategy to reach women and young girls in different community spaces. “We take our campaign to chapels, mosques, markets, and schools to reach as many people as possible. Every woman who is sexually active should get screened every three years,” she advised.

According to her, awareness programs are key to ensuring women become more conscious of their health and know that screening services are accessible. “We want women to understand that there is hope—cancer can be cured if detected early,” she added.

Bakari also encouraged safe sexual practices and timely screening, explaining that cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination. “The vaccine is free for children between the ages of 9 and 14 in public health facilities. For those older than 14, it can still be obtained privately,” she noted.

Highlighting the symptoms, she said, “For breast cancer, any swelling, no matter how small, should not be ignored. Self-examination should be done monthly, and any suspicious change should be reported immediately.”

Another speaker, Dr. Aishatu Musa from the same department, urged parents to ensure their children benefit from the free vaccination campaign. “Our children should be vaccinated. It’s free, and Wednesday’s screening is also free. Everyone should take advantage of it,” she said.

A participant, Barrister Martha Daniel, commended MWAN for the initiative, describing it as enlightening. “We’re grateful for this awareness campaign. Many people mix spirituality with myths when it comes to health, but today, we’ve been able to understand that both science and faith have their place when properly applied,” she said.

The World Health Organisation reports that breast and cervical cancers are among the most common cancers affecting women globally, with sub-Saharan Africa recording some of the highest incidence and mortality rates.