The breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening programme of the wife of the Bayelsa State governor, Mrs. Alanyingi Sylva has moved to the grassroots with the kick-off of the programme at Ogbia town in Ogbia Local Government area of the state.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Sylva, who is also the founder of the Centre for Gender Values and Culture, said the health needs of women of the state would continue to receive adequate attention.

Mrs. Sylva noted that women especially those in the rural areas deserve good health assuring that her NGO will intervene in unfavourable health conditions for the benefit of women of the state.

She reiterated her resolve to ensure that women are empowered through the provision of good health and called on well meaning Nigerians, Non-Governmental Organizations and other private bodies to partner with the state government and the Centre for Gender Values and Culture to organize health awareness programmes with a view to finding solutions to the health problems facing women.

Mrs. Sylva commended the women of Ogbia council area for turning out en-masse to participate in the programme and urged women to regularly check their breasts and go for Pap smear tests as early awareness and detection can prevent possible death.

She thanked all those who supported her in carrying out the programme which formed part of activities to celebrate the cancer awareness month.

In her remark, the Chairman of the occasion who is also the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Local Government and former President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dr. Ebimie Okara disclosed that though science has improved and there are now better methods of controlling and treating breast and cervical cancer, awareness programmes can go a long way in focusing attention on the dreaded diseases.

Dr. Okara who lamented that the rural populace is largely forgotten in government programmes lauded the wife of the governor for bringing the programme to the grassroots as this will improve the health status of the rural dwellers and give them a sense of belonging.

She called on women to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening programme to improve their health.

Also speaking, Dr. Ifeoma Ojoko a Consultant Gynecologist and member of the state branch of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, the body collaborating with Mrs. Alanyingi in the breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening programme, said breast and cervical cancer contributes significantly to the death of women across the world.

She enjoined women to seek medical attention immediately they notice a difference in the shape or feel of their breasts or if they experience bleeding or pains in the breasts and also go for yearly Pap Smear tests to avoid cervical cancer and aid in bringing down the maternal mortality rate.