100 Bauchi Women Benefit As Medical Women’s Group Offers Free Breast Cancer Screening
By HALIMA TAKWAS
IN a major step toward combating rising cancer cases in northern Nigeria, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has provided free breast cancer screening for 100 women and adolescent girls in the Dungal community of Bauchi Local Government Area.
The exercise, held on Thursday, formed part of MWAN’s broader cancer awareness and prevention campaign aimed at promoting early detection and saving lives, especially among women in rural areas.
Raising Awareness Through Local Engagement
Speaking during the outreach, Dr. Umma-Hanni Ja’afar, President of MWAN Bauchi Chapter, said the initiative seeks to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancers, which have become serious public health concerns in Nigeria.
“We are here in Dungal to educate both men and women about the growing threat of cancer. Our goal is to help families, especially young girls, recognise the early warning signs,” she explained.
Ja’afar noted that the group deliberately used local languages to ensure participants fully understood the message, adding that MWAN would continue to extend similar screenings to other rural communities to promote early detection and timely treatment.
Support from Health Authorities and Partners
The Chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr. Adamu Sambo, praised MWAN for its community-driven effort to improve women’s health.
He encouraged parents to vaccinate adolescent girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is known to cause cervical cancer, stressing that prevention is more effective and affordable than treatment.
Also speaking, Zainab Kwaru, National President of MWAN, represented by Habiba Ismail, Chairperson of the Nigeria Cancer Society in Bauchi, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls nationwide.
She urged women to perform regular self-breast examinations and seek medical attention for any abnormalities instead of resorting to self-medication.
“Cancer is curable when detected early. Every woman must know her body and act quickly when something feels unusual,” she said.
Partnerships Driving Regional Health Development
Representing the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mr. Sulaiman Ibrahim pledged the commission’s continued support for health interventions across the region.
He highlighted ongoing NEDC efforts such as building new health centres and supplying medical equipment to underserved communities to strengthen healthcare delivery and support vulnerable populations.
The outreach also featured demonstrations of breast self-examination techniques, practical cancer prevention tips, and discussions on lifestyle choices that reduce cancer risks.
Local women described the event as “eye-opening and life-saving,” expressing gratitude to MWAN and its partners for bringing essential health education and screening services to their doorstep.
