The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, Ash Montana Deck, in collaboration with Women Aid Africa, has provided free breast cancer screening for over 200 women in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The beneficiaries also underwent clinical breast examinations and received counselling on breast cancer awareness and general health issues at Kugba Primary Healthcare Centre, Abeokuta.
Five were detected to be carrying the disease unknowningly while it was discovered that another woman who had been struggling to have a surgery on one breast had had it spread to the second breast.
The Chief Executive Officer of Women Aid Africa, Bukola Konkwo, said the programme was aimed at educating women on breast cancer, the importance of regular breast self-examination and the need to seek prompt medical attention whenever they notice unusual lumps or changes in their breasts.
Konkwo, a breast cancer survivor who said she had lived for 10 years since her diagnosis, stressed that early detection remained critical to saving lives and reducing the impact of the disease.
She urged women not to allow financial constraints, busy schedules or domestic responsibilities to prevent them from prioritising their health, emphasising the importance of regular medical check-ups and taking advantage of free screening opportunities.
“Early detection saves lives. It is only when you are alive that you can attend to other responsibilities. Health is wealth, and women must always put their health first,” she said.
Also speaking, the Second Mate of Ash Montana Deck, Dr Hafiz Bello, said the association partnered with Women Aid Africa to bring accessible healthcare services to underprivileged women who might otherwise be unable to afford medical examinations.
Bello explained that beneficiaries suspected of having possible signs of breast cancer would be referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for further medical evaluation. He added that the association would collaborate with government and relevant health authorities to facilitate access to treatment and follow-up care.
“One of the challenges we have in the country is that people cannot even afford to take themselves to the hospital. That is why the National Association of Seadogs keyed into this project, bringing it to an environment where you have the less privileged,” he said.
He noted that the association was developing a referral system to support women with suspected cases of breast cancer, adding that efforts would be made to monitor their progress and work with government to address the high cost of medical examinations and treatment.
The representative of Urban Community Transformation and Empowerment, Olayemi Boluwatife, called on the Federal and State Governments to increase support for breast cancer awareness and screening programmes to reduce the burden of the disease in communities.
Boluwatife said the organisation supported the initiative because of its focus on educating women, promoting early detection and encouraging appropriate health-seeking behaviour, particularly amid growing concerns over breast cancer and its impact on women in Nigeria.
One of the beneficiaries, Temitayo Akinwunmi, described the screening exercise as painless, commending the medical personnel for their professionalism and attentive care.
She said the women were examined and their breasts scanned to identify possible signs of breast cancer.
