The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has launched a free cervical cancer screening and awareness campaign for 200 women in Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa.
At the inauguration on Tuesday in Fufore, Dr Nandi Tokkit, Consultant, Department of Prevention and Control, NICRAT, Abuja, stated that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and detected early through screening.
“Our goal is to identify cases early to help prevent the development of cervical cancer.
“If screening reveals positive results or precancerous lesions, which have not yet progressed to cancer, we can treat these lesions.
“This treatment can completely cure the woman and significantly reduce her risk of developing cervical cancer,” she said.
Tokkit noted that screenings are currently underway in six states nationwide, including Adamawa in the North-East.
Dr Maisaratu Bakari, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, stated that the initiative is timely, as their facility has seen many similar cases.
“When NICRAT introduced this research initiative in our state, we piloted phase one, which focused on raising community awareness. The HPV DNA testing, which is the primary test in our national guideline, is a preventive test for women to identify those who have the high-risk HPV types.
“This is a virus that can “HPV is a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. Our goal is to screen 200 women,” she explained.CRAT has brought a thermal ablator to burn the suspicious area.
She added that women who do not meet the criteria for ablation will be referred to MAUTH Yola for further treatment.
Mrs Rahab Caleb, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the institute for the free service and encouraged other women to participate.
