Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi, has urged women in the state to go for free breast and cervical cancer screening at the Adunni Olayinka Wellness Centre, at the premises of the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti and other designated centres in the state.
Mrs Fayemi made the call on Thursday during the commencement of Ekiti Breast and Cervical Cancer Screaming Awareness Week at the School of Nursing in Ado-Ekiti.
She said early detection of the cancer cells within the body, would help in ensuring effective treatment of the disease.
According to her, the state government set up the centre and equipped it in order to cater for the health care need of the people and to arrest cancer in the state. She, therefore, urged women in the state to take advantage of the centre.
“We are all aware of the importance of early detection and going to the hospital for treatment. We must adhere to the doctor’s prescription and not run away from immediate treatment to come back later when it is too late.
“The Adunni Olayinka Wellness Centre was established to help in early detection and treatment of cancer. I urge us to take full advantage of the centre.
“We should not wait until the disease has ravaged the body before seeking medical attention. Cancer is not a death sentence if it is detected and treated early. So, let us take care of our body and seek medical examination regularly,” she said.
The governor’s wife also urged young women to stay off bleaching cream, under the guise of skin toning, which according to her, are injurious to the body because of some cancer-causing chemicals used in producing them.
Instead, she advised women to maintain good skin with old methods of shea butter, coconut oil and black soap.
She urged women to desist from ‘mixing’ body creams in the name of fashion.Earlier, in a lecture titled ‘The burden of Breast Cancer’, director of Ekiti Cancer Registry, Dr Omonise Abidemi, raised concerns that people in this clime go to the hospital when it is late.
Commissioner for health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, said early detection and self-examination are paramount in the bid to eliminate cancer.
At the event were House of Assembly Members, Teju Okuyiga; Kemi Balogun; and Yemisi Ayokunle among others.
