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The determination to curb illicit trafficking of Nigerians across national and international borders, a non-governmental organisation, the Live  Abundantly Empowerment Initiative (LAEI), in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, held a sensitization programme to educate citizens in the state of the inhuman treatment victims of human trafficking encounter. The event, which commemorated with the World Human Trafficking Day was held at the Civic Centre Ibadan.

The Chief Executive Officer of Access to Basic medical Care Foundation, Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi was represented by COO, ABC Foundation, Mrs Dolapo Oyedipe, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation in the state,  Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya and the Convener of the Initiative, Dr. Ama Onyerinma were present at the event  which seek to end human trafficking.

Cervical cancer is cancer that begins in the uterine cervix, the lower end of the uterus that contacts the upper vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix grow abnormally and invade other tissues and organs of the body. When it is invasive, this cancer affects the deeper tissues of the cervix and may have spread to other parts of the body (metastasis), most notably the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum. Cervical cancer remains a common cause of cancer and cancer death in women in developing countries without access to screening (Pap testing) for cervical cancer or vaccines against Human Papilloma Virus (HPVs). However, cervical cancer is slow-growing, so its progression through precancerous changes provides opportunities for prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Having said this, there are some generally believed myths about cervical cancer which are not totally true or not true at all. Few myth and truth are discussed below;

MYTH 1: I need a Pap Test every year.

TRUTH 1: If your Pap and HPV tests are both normal, you don’t need to get a Pap test every year. The following screening guidelines for women with previously normal Pap and HPV test result are recommended;

• Aged 21-29: Pap test every three years.
• Aged 30-64: Pap test and HPV tests every five years
• Aged 65 and older: Speak with your doctor about whether you need to continue Pap and HPV tests.

MYTH 2: HPV isn’t that common, it only affects people with multiple partners, so I don’t need to worry about the HPV vaccine or HPV test.

TRUTH 2: HPV is very common. Approximately 80% of men and women are infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.

MYTH 3: The HPV infection clears up on its own.

TRUTH 3: HPV infection clears up in most people without them knowing they were exposed. However, in some people, the infection persists and can lead to serious health problems such as genital warts and several types of cancer including cervical cancer.

MYTH 4: I can’t have children now that I’ve had cervical cancer.

TRUTH 4: Yes, cervical cancer patients typically undergo a hysterectomy and/or chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the pelvic area. But there are a lot of new treatment options that enable our doctors to spare patients’ fertility so they can become parents.

MYTH 5: Cervical cancer is hereditary.

TRUTH 5: Though some female cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer are passed down from parent to child, cervical cancer is not. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, so the best way to make sure your kids don’t get it is to ensure they get the HPV vaccine.

MYTH 6: Cervical cancer cannot be prevented.

TRUTH 6: Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is an absolute requirement for cervical cancer to develop. This virus is transmitted sexually, but the majority of the most worrisome types of infection can be prevented with a newly available vaccine. Preventing HPV infection dramatically reduces a woman’s risk of cervical cancer. In addition, cervical cancer usually develops shortly after persistent infection with HPV and will first appear as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. If detected at this stage, it can be effectively treated to prevent cervical cancer from developing. Screening with Pap smears and tests for HPV detect these precancerous conditions so patients are treated early.

MYTH 7: I am too young to worry about cervical cancer.

TRUTH 7: The average age of cervical cancer patients is 48years. While it’s not common, women can be diagnosed in their 20s. HPV infection and the precancerous condition dysplasia are common in younger women.

MYTH 8: I don’t have intercourse, so I don’t need the HPV vaccine.

TRUTH 8: HPV can be passed from one partner to another through intercourse, as well as orally and through touching.

It is better and safer to get screened and tested to avoid having cancer. Early detection saves lives.

The representative of CEO, Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation, Mrs. Dolapo Oyedipe during her address, said that the issue with human trafficking needed a concerted effort to handle because of the means devised by a trafficker to recruit victims.

Mrs Dolapo Oyedipe said the treatment victims faced serves as a major reason for this advocacy, urging the trafficking has to be eradicated. She added that the governor’s wife is passionate about the welfare of women, their health, social, physical, emotional and psychological state.  impact it has on the victims.

On that note, Mrs. Ajimobi acquired a Cobas 4800 machine for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) screening in order to enable women to detect cervical cancer early.

She advised that every sexually active woman should go for HPV screening regularly.

She also urged them to go for regular screening as early detection of any life-threatening disease can be treated and cured like any other health condition.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation in the state,  Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya and the Convener of the Initiative, Dr. Ama Onyerinma also gave their speech at the event.

13th June, 2018 was the grand finale of a successful three-day free medical outreach conducted by SET National Sports Lottery Foundation in collaboration with Access to Basic medical Care Foundation. It was successful because of the lives that were saved and also the ability to create a health awareness to the public.

The free medical consultation which includes Electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiology consultation, dental consultation for children and adults of the community continued today, 12th June, 2018 with more people trooping in for medical consultation due to the collaboration between Access to Basic medical Care Foundation and National Sports Lottery Foundation SET.

Access to Basic medical Care Foundation collaborated with National Sports Lottery Foundation (NSLF) SET to conduct a 3-days free Electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiology consultation, dental consultation for children and adults of the community at ABC Diagnostic Centre from 9am-4pm from 11th-13th June, 2018.

On 7th June, 2018 advocacy meeting was held with all Oyo State LGA and LCDA Chairmen towards a successful implementation of Oyo State Cancer Control Plan organized by department of Public Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Oyo State Cancer Control Committee and Access to Basic medical Care Foundation at Ajijolaoluwa Lecture Theatre, ABC Foundation hub, Ring Road, Ibadan.

There are popular myths about breast cancer but the truth about them are explained below:

MYTH: Drinking milk (or dairy) causes breast cancer.

TRUTH: Over many decades, studies have shown that dairy consumption does not increase the risk of breast cancer.

MYTH: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

TRUTH: Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not.

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening mammograms.

MYTH: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.

TRUTH: Quite the contrary, each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.  Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

MYTH: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

TRUTH: A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread. According to the National Cancer Institute, “The benefits of mammography, however, nearly always outweigh the potential harm from the radiation exposure. Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low.”

The standard recommendation is annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40.

MYTH: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too.

TRUTH: While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically, only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.

·         If you have a first degree relative with breast cancer: If you have a mother, daughter, or sister who developed breast cancer below the age of 50, you should consider some form of regular diagnostic breast imaging starting 10 years before the age of your relative’s diagnosis.

·         If you have a second degree relative with breast cancer: If you have had a grandmother or aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases slightly, but it is not in the same risk category as those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer.

·         If you have multiple generations diagnosed with breast cancer on the same side of the family, or if there are several individuals who are first degree relatives to one another or several family members diagnosed under age 50, the probability increases that there is a breast cancer gene contributing to the cause of this familial history.

MYTH: Breast cancer is contagious.

TRUTH: You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast. However, you can reduce your risk by practising a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk factors, and following an early detection plan so that you will be diagnosed early if breast cancer were to occur.

MYTH: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

TRUTH: Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

MYTH: If the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 is detected in your DNA, you will definitely develop breast cancer.

TRUTH: According to the National Cancer Institute, regarding families who are known to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2, “not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes. Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer. But, a woman who has inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman who does not have such a mutation.” For people who discover they have a harmful mutation, there are various proactive measures that can be done to reduce risk. These include taking a hormonal therapy called Tamoxifen or deciding to take a surgical prevention approach which is to have bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, usually done with reconstruction.

Check your breast regularly for any abnormalities or any lumps because early detection saves lives.

Access to Basic medical Care Foundation hosted the Workshop for Local Government Medical Officers of Health on Implementation of the Oyo State Cancer Control Strategic Plan on 14th May, 2018. The participants include 33 LGA Medical Officers of Health, 33 LGA Head Matrons, Officers from Department of Public Health, Oyo SMOH, Officers from Oyo PHCDA and Officers from Oyo State Health Insurance Agency.

Dr Oluwatobi Lawrence will be speaking on Cancer on Fresh FM 105.9 by 3-4pm WAT on the show ‘SHE MATTERS’

with Revd. Funke Adetuberu. Don’t miss out!.

The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi launched Oyo State Cancer Control Plan 2018-2022 on 24th April, 2018. The First Lady of Oyo State and the founder of Access to Basic medical Care Foundation, Her Excellency Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, the Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole , the Guest speaker, Professor Durosimi Etti the initiator of  Cancer Education & Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, The First Lady of Niger State and the founder of Raise Foundation , Dr (Mrs) Amina Abubakar Bello were in attendance amongst others.