By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, on Saturday launched a nationwide cancer awareness and screening programme in Abeokuta.

Speaking at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Salako said 1,000 Nigerians would benefit from the screening exercise in each geopolitical zone.

He explained that the programme reflects the Federal Government’s emphasis on prevention as the most effective and cost-efficient approach to cancer control.

The minister said the initiative would cover primary, secondary and tertiary prevention levels, focusing on early detection and timely treatment.

Salako noted that the screening would also target individuals who have not previously been diagnosed with cancer.

He raised concern that Nigeria’s breast cancer mortality rate stands at 28 per cent, far exceeding the global average.

“Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden in terms of incidence and mortality.

“The goal is to screen 1,000 people per zone, focusing on prostate, cervical and breast cancers, with early detection and treatment,” Salako said.

According to the Minister, cancer kills more people than tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS combined.

“Deaths are higher in our environment than in the Western world due to late diagnosis and delayed treatment,” he said.

Salako promised to facilitate the establishment of a cancer centre in a tertiary institution before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure.

The Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, Dr Titilola Ibiyemi, thanked the Federal Government for selecting the hospital for the exercise.

Ibiyemi said the choice reflected the centre’s strategic importance and confidence in its capacity to deliver quality healthcare services. (NAN)