A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Quinta Health, began free screening of market women in Ilorin for breast cancer on Thursday,
The market women thronged to the centre for the screening of their breasts, an exercise which had a health talk as a prelude.
Founder of the NGO, Dr Tunde Adewumi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the screening was to ensure early detection and was brought to the market because most market women did not have the time to get tested aside the high cost of testing.
“We decided to bring the screening to them because they are the most affected and they hardly have time because the market is their source of livelihood.
“So, we are here to advocate and ensure early detection so as to save as many lives as possible,’’’ the Quinta Health founder said.
Dr Adewumi said the exercise also enjoyed funding support by friends of the organisation and those of volunteer doctors.
He said the target of the organisation was to screen 2,000 women across 10 markets in Ilorin in commemoration of the breast cancer awareness month held in October.
He noted that anyone detected to have breast cancer would be directed to the hospital and her case followed up.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Jamilah Sambo, said she was fulfilled being screened as a reassurance after conducting self-examination at home.
“I have been conducting self-examination myself, but with this now, I am rest assured and I will stop having negative thoughts regarding my breasts.
“I commend the organisers for coming up with this to help us regarding our health,’’ Mrs Sambo said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Juliana Okotie, said it was a worthwhile experience as she saw the interior of her breasts with the aid of the machine used in the screening.
“I saw the inside of my breast myself with the aid of the machine used, so the transparency is what is giving me joy apart from the fact that I know I am free of breast cancer,’’ Mrs Okotie said.
She advocated that the screening be taken also to secondary schools to get girls tested as early as possible.