Cancer: Ekiti Gov’s Wife Sponsors 200 Women For Free Breast Scan

By Ayodele Oni

The wife of Ekiti Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has picked 200 women, drawn from various local governments of the State, to undergo a free mammogram and breast scan.

The free scanning was announced during an awareness programme in commemoration of the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness themed: “No One should face Breast Cancer Alone” at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Oyebanji advised women to make early breast cancer screening a top priority to avoid full-blown cancer.

According to the first lady, 150 women ranging from age 18 and 40 years would benefit from free breast scan, while another set of 50 women ranging from age 40 years and above would benefit from mammogram examination.

She called for more and aggressive awareness in the state for every woman to be captured in breast scan and examination, which she said have been heavily subsidized by the state government for easy accessibility, irrespective of class and social status.

To this end, Dr. Oyebanji called on  religious leaders, market women, and female political leaders to champion the cause and intensify cancer awareness campaign.

The first lady commended her husband, Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his administration’s various interventions in the health sector and for providing the Mammogram machine at Adunni Olayinka Women Diagnostic and Wellness Center for women in the state.

A resource person at the event, Dr Julius Olaogun, an Associate Professor of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, EKSUTH, stated that the breast cancer awareness campaign was vital, pointing out that the need for aggressive sensitization has become necessary more than ever before.

He encouraged healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, abstaining from smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, among others.

By following all these rules, the expert argued that cancer risk can significantly be reduced to the bearest minimum.

“Cancer is not a death sentence, early detection is very key and its preventable. Every woman should hence, examine her breast at least once a month.