Wife of the Lagos State governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode yesterday promised to throw her weight behind the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) in its programmes and activities, designed to reduce the prevalence of breast cancer in the state.
This is even as she charged individuals, organisations and government at all levels to step up awareness against the disease.
Mrs Ambode, who stated this at the launching of the Lagos State chapter of BRECAN, an initiative of her Ondo state counterpart, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, said the need to scale up awareness campaign against cancer was crucial in order to reduce its terminal result, which is fast becoming worrisome.
She noted that according to the World Health Organization statistics, cancer accounts for 13 percent of death globally, out of which 70% occurs in low income and developing economies, just as she averred that breast and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the country.
“This must clearly give everyone a cause for concern which should be translated to improved commitment and collaboration among stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organisations,” the Lagos State First Lady said in her goodwill message at the launch.
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“This collaboration,” she continued, “must be focused on stepping up the awareness campaign on the importance of regular checks and screening for early detection.
“We must work together to ensure that this campaign is taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state,” she said.
While noting that BRECAN’s programmes are not new in Lagos, Mrs Ambode said the establishment of a new chapter in the state would expanded and deepen the organization’s activities for the benefits of the people, particularly women.
She pledged to support the activities and programmes of the organization, which are designed to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state and the country at large.
Mrs Ambode commended BRECAN founder for the initiative and partnership with government as well as other organizations with shared vision, adding that through their efforts, many lives have been saved.
In her address, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the need to contain breast cancer is a collective responsibility.
She urged the government, organisations and individuals to join hand to combat the scourge.
BRECAN is a non-profit organization, established some 20 years ago by wife of Ondo state governor.
