HERBALISTS, RELIGIOUS CENTRES CAN'T TREAT BREAST CANCER, FAYEMI'S WIFE ADVISES WOMEN

L-R: Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ido-Osi Local Government, Ekiti
State, Mr. Kehinde Ogunlade; his Ado-Ekiti LG counterpart, Mr. Tope
Olanipekun; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Caretaker
Committee Chairman, Oye LG, Mr. Foluso Ojo, during a breast cancer
awareness campaign and distribution of Breast Self Examination kits to
the 16 Local Governments of the state, in Ado-Ekiti...on Tuesday

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has advised Nigerian
women against visiting herbalists and religious centres for diagnosis
and treatment of breast and other gender-specific cancers.
She gave the advice during the launching and distribution of 32,000
units of Breast Self-Examination kits to officials of the 16 Local
Governments of the state at the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness
Centre, Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday.
The project was a joint effort of the Office of the Wife of Governor
and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria aimed at creating
greater awareness around breast cancer.
The governor's wife emphasized the need for self examination of
breasts by women for early detection of lumps; while she also
encouraged husbands to remind their wives.
The event witnessed practical demonstration of the use of the kits for
breasts self examination and how to improvise with soap and water
where not available.
Erelu Fayemi stressed that breast cancer could be easily treated when
detected and presented early at a standard health institution.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi said, "If you observe a lump in your breast, please
don't go to the nearest herbalist, don't go to the nearest worship
centre for a solution. And don't ignore it. Don't carry your Bible and
say 'it is not my portion'.
"The amount we need to examine ourselves at any standard health
facility like the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre is
negligible compared with the money we spend on aso ebi during social
engagements.
"For those of you that believe in the saying that what you don't know
cannot hurt you, I must tell you that what you don't know can actually
kill you."
She pledged to partner ALGON to sponsor grassroots women for diagnosis
of breast, cervical and other gender-specific cancer, as well as lipid
test at the Funmi Olayinka centre through her initiative, the Ekiti
Development Foundation to reduce cancer-induced deaths in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, disclosed that the
Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration had committed over N100m in
support of citizens suffering from one form of cancer or the other.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in
the ministry, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, said nine women have already
been supported to undergo cancer surgery from the fund.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Paul Omotosho, promised to
ensure that the local government administration effectively distribute
the kits to Ekiti women, backed with adequate awareness and
sensitization.