FG Launches Free Cancer Screening Nationwide – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

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…Project PINK BLUE Backs National Cancer Screening
…Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre Leads 5Km Walk

The Federal Government, on Saturday, formally flagged off anationwide free cancer screening programme targeting 6,000 Nige­rians across the six geopolitical zones, with the official launch held at the Federal Medical Cen­tre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The awareness and free screening programme was flagged off by the Minister of State for Health and Social Wel­fare Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako.

According to the minister, the initiative aligns with activi­ties marking World Cancer Day and is aimed at promoting early detection and prompt treatment of common cancers.

Dr. Salako, while congratu­lating Ogun State government and its people on the state’s 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, said the launch was a modest contribution by cancer stakeholders to improve public health as part of the golden jubi­lee celebrations.

Highlighting the growing bur­den of cancer, the minister said Nigeria bears the highest cancer incidence and mortality rate in Africa, with deaths exceeding those from tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS combined.

He identified breast, cervical, and prostate cancers as the most prevalent in the country, along­side childhood cancers, which continue to record low survival rates in low and middle income countries due to limited access to treatment.

According to him, breast cancer accounts for significant mortality among women, while cervical cancer, though prevent­able and curable, remains a ma­jor killer with prostate cancer as the most common among men in Africa.

He stressed that late diagnosis and delayed treatment contribute largely to high mortality rates in Nigeria.

Salako said the screening programme reflects the strategic focus of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on pre­vention as the most cost-effective approach to tackling diseases of public health importance.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is addressing cancer through all levels of prevention, including tackling risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol con­sumption, and environmental pollution, as well as expanding access to HPV and hepatitis B vaccines.

He disclosed that nearly 15 million girls aged 9 to 14 had received the HPV vaccine as of late 2025.

The Ogun State Commission­er for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, commended the Federal Minis­try of Health and Social Welfare for bringing the nationwide free cancer screening and awareness programme to Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, a leading cancer advocacy organisation, Project PINK BLUE Health and Psycho­logical Trust Centre, on Saturday, called on the Federal Govern­ment to establish a nationwide, structured cancer screening programme to tackle late detec­tion and reduce Nigeria’s rising cancer mortality rate.

The appeal was made on Sat­urday in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 World Cancer Day, where the group organised a symbolic walk, a 20-kilometre cycling event and a 10-kilome­tre run against cancer at the Transcorp Hilton.

The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as the “astronomical” cost of can­cer treatment in Nigeria, warn­ing that many patients are forced to choose between basic necessi­ties and life-saving medication.

Programme Associate at Proj­ect PINK BLUE, Ms. Faridah M. Banwo, said this year’s com­memoration, themed “United by Unique,” highlights the dis­tinct and often overlooked chal­lenges faced by Nigerian cancer patients.

“Today, several patients are deciding whether to buy food or purchase their cancer medica­tion. Many are borrowing mon­ey to pay for chemotherapy, while family members are selling prop­erties just to afford radiotherapy,” Banwo said.

She described the financial burden of cancer care as over­whelming and urged both fed­eral and state governments to strengthen funding support for patients.

“We are calling on the Feder­al Government and the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to the Cancer Health Fund. State governments should also establish cancer health funds and trusts to assist indigent patients,” she added.

According to the group, Nige­ria recorded 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 deaths in 2022, with about 62 per cent of diag­nosed patients losing their lives to the disease.

Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, Mr. Runcie C.W. Chidebe, attributed the high mor­tality rate to systemic weakness­es within the healthcare system rather than patient negligence.

“Late detection, limited ac­cess to care, poor survivorship services, inadequate oncology personnel, transportation chal­lenges and poverty are major barriers,” he said. “It is unfair to blame patients. We must fix the system if we want better outcomes.”

Chidebe stressed the urgent need for an organised, govern­ment-backed national screening programme, noting that Nigeria currently relies on sporadic and uncoordinated screenings.

“What we have today is frag­mented. A national programme would ensure that public hospi­tals routinely provide clinical breast examinations, cervical cancer screening and other tests to eligible individuals, and active­ly invite citizens for screenings,” he explained.

Also, the Marcelle Ruth Can­cer Centre and Specialist Hospi­tal on Friday mobilised health professionals, cancer survivors, government officials and mem­bers of the public for its 2026 Walk Against Cancer, a five-kilo­metre awareness march aimed at promoting early detection, preventive care and the removal of stigma surrounding cancer in Nigeria.

The annual walk, held to co­incide with World Cancer Week, commenced at the Lagos State House, Marina, and ended at the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Victo­ria Island.

Participants began the walk at about 7.am, drawing attention from early morning commuters as they moved through major corridors of the city in a symbol­ic show of solidarity with cancer patients and survivors.

Speaking at the event, Chair­man of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre, Mr. Bolaji Odunsi, said the walk was designed to rein­force the importance of regular health checks as a vital compo­nent of healthy living.

He likened preventive health­care to routine vehicle servicing, stressing that the human body also requires consistent atten­tion.

“Just as you service your car regularly, you need to service your body every year,” Odunsi said.

“Regular check-ups and prompt medical consultation when you notice anything un­usual can make the difference between early treatment and late complications.”

He acknowledged recent government efforts in expand­ing cancer care infrastructure across the country, noting that the establishment of new cancer centres had improved access to services.

Also addressing participants, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Marcelle Ruth Can­cer Centre, Professor Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, explained that the 2026 walk aligned with the global World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” a three-year campaign running until 2027.

She said the theme highlights the individuality of every can­cer journey while reinforcing a shared responsibility to support survivors and patients.

“Cancer survivors have unique stories,” she noted. “A young mother with breast cancer has a different experience from a man in his 60s with prostate can­cer, but what unites them is the possibility of survival, especially when cancer is detected early.”

Professor Elebute-Odunsi em­phasised that early presentation remains the most powerful tool in cancer management, urging Nigerians—particularly those aged 40 and above—to prioritise annual wellness checks.

She warned that unexplained weight loss, persistent lumps, non-healing wounds or unusual bleeding should never be ignored.

She disclosed that Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre has treated nearly 6,000 patients over the past five years and currently supports more than 400 cancer survi­vors through its “Marcelle Ruth Friends” group.