Amosun’s Wife Marks 15 Years Of Saving Lives With Free Cancer Screening, Surgeries In Ogun

The Uplift Development Foundation has marked the 15th edition of its annual free breast and cervical cancer screening programme in Ogun State, with its founder, Dr Mrs Olufunso Amosun, announcing continued funding of surgeries for women diagnosed with breast lumps.

The foundation, which commenced the initiative in 2012, said the intervention was designed to bridge the gap between cancer detection and access to treatment, particularly for people who may be unable to afford the cost of medical care.

The latest screening exercise, held at the Telemedicine Centre Hall of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, attracted women and men, medical professionals and other stakeholders, as the foundation renewed its campaign for early cancer detection.

Amosun said the programme was established out of concern over preventable deaths caused by late detection, financial constraints and limited access to treatment.

She said, “Today is significant because it represents 15 years of sustained commitment to creating awareness and saving lives.

“We started in 2012 with the belief that no one should lose their life to cancer because of treatment challenges or money for accessible treatment.”

According to her, the foundation expanded its intervention in 2017 by taking responsibility for the cost of surgery for women found to have breast lumps during its screening exercises.

She disclosed that about 30 women were identified for surgery during last year’s programme, while 774 people were screened.

Amosun urged women to make regular cancer screening part of their healthcare routine, warning against waiting until symptoms became severe before seeking medical attention.

“Do not wait until symptoms become severe. Make screening part of your health routine,” she said.

She also expressed the foundation’s intention to extend the programme to more rural and indigenous communities across Ogun State, saying underserved populations remained a priority.

The founder further disclosed plans to explore partnerships for autism-related interventions in the state and establish a dedicated cancer screening programme for men.

Speaking during the programme, a surgeon, Dr Nko, urged women diagnosed with breast cancer not to regard the disease as an automatic death sentence.

He explained that treatment options depended on the nature and stage of each case, adding that breast reconstruction could also be considered where medically appropriate.

Nko encouraged women to seek medical attention promptly whenever they noticed unusual changes in their breasts.

Also speaking, nurse Omowunmi Olatunji educated participants on breast self-examination, urging women to develop the habit of checking their breasts regularly.

Olatunji advised menstruating women to conduct self-examination about five days after their monthly period, while menopausal women could select a particular date each month and maintain the routine.

She explained that the examination should begin with a visual inspection in front of a mirror to identify unusual changes before the breasts were gently examined for lumps or other abnormalities.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Adesulowo, Hon Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu and Olori Kadijat Matemilola, among others.

Obasanjo commended the foundation for sustaining the programme over the years and taking cancer awareness and screening to different communities.

She described the intervention as an act of love and urged women to take advantage of the free screening.

“Through this screening, they will detect where it is, get rid of it and save lives,” she said.

She also urged beneficiaries to become ambassadors for cancer awareness by encouraging other women to undergo regular screening.

Adesulowo stressed that cancer was not exclusively a women’s health concern, noting that men could also develop breast cancer.

She therefore urged members of the public to take cancer prevention, awareness and screening seriously.

Dipeolu, who disclosed that it was her first time attending the programme, commended the initiative and said she had also undergone the free screening.

She described early detection initiatives as critical to improving the chances of timely intervention.

Olori Dosunmu recalled an earlier edition of the programme, saying a woman she brought for screening was diagnosed with breast lumps and subsequently underwent surgery at no cost.

Amosun also acknowledged the contribution of medical personnel and the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, for providing the venue and materials for the exercise at no cost.