Imam Imam
7 November 2009
Gusau — Wife of Zamfara State Governor, Hajiya Aisha-Babangida-Shinkafi, has lamented the increasing number of women affected by cases of cervical cancer especially in the northern part of the country, and said stringent efforts must be made to create awareness and tackle the spread of the disease.
Speaking in Gusau while receiving an award for her efforts to tackle the scourge of breast and cervical cancer among women in the country, Aisha said the rising trend was worrisome considering the fact that there was so much ignorance about the disease among the majority of people in the North.
She said 83% of cervical cancer cases occur in developing countries and according to her, research has shown that cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in Nigeria and other developing countries.
She said recent figures released by the Federal Government show that cancer could lead to the death of up to 10 million people annually with the number increasing to 15.7 million in 2020.
She, however, expressed joy that the recent discovery of a vaccine for cervical cancer would help the fight against the disease in Nigeria.
"As you may be aware, a vaccine for the prevention and control of cervical cancer in Nigeria was recently discovered and registered for use by NAFDAC in the country. The task ahead of all stakeholders now is to create enough awareness on the infection and seek to get to as many rural communities as possible," she said.
Aisha promised to do more now that her efforts at tackling the scourge has been recognised by Exquisite magazine which honoured her with the Best First Lady award at its recent award night held in Lagos.
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