By Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye
The peaceful serenity that usually pervades the highbrow Lekki metropolis in the commercial city of Lagos State witnessed a temporary shut down for hours yesterday when members of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), led by their Founder who is also the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu trooped into the street in their hundreds to hold a walk to create awareness against the menace of breast cancer among African women.
The awareness which kicked off at 8 am from Admiralty Roundabout, Lekki passes through Elegushi Palace, terminated at Leisure Sports Park at Ikaate Elegushi.
Aside Akeredolu, the walk was graced by popular Actress, Ngozi Nwosu, youths, women, school children among others with all participants wearing colorful Pink Color Shirt with melodious music made available to dance to.
In her opening remarks, Akeredolu said she founded BRECAN in 1998 to help create awareness on the dangers associated with Breast Cancer and how it could be well managed after surviving the diseases.
“BRECAN founded 21 years ago has been assisting breast cancer patients and others unknowingly living with the deadly virus with medical treatment and screening on the platter of gold.
“We must all put our hands together to wage war against the hegemony of cancer that kills over one million women in a year across the world. The stigma must also be looked into by government so that people could be courageous to come out for treatment.
“Let me say very expressly that being diagnosed for Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, it can be well managed if detected early and cured 100%. I was mocked by friends and associated when I removed my breast over cancer but here I am today waxing stronger to the admiration of those mocking me then.
“We lost many women to cancer before they are not aware of their body status, early detection saves lives. And again, let me inform the general public that breast cancer is not limited to women alone, men also have it, so, I urge gentle men here today to be conscious of any changes in their breast.
Akeredolu said it is illogical to regard breast cancer as spiritual attack, warning that the disease is one of the realities that the 21st century must confront sanctimoniously
“Cancer is not a spiritual attack, it is good to pray to God, but if you notice changes in your breast, the best place to visit is the hospital” she added.
The Lagos State Coordinator of BRECAN, Mrs. Tovia Ojekere took time one after the other to educate participants on the symptoms of breast cancer, how to properly examine breast, identifies lumps, how cervical cancer is often contacted through sexual intercourse, urging all sexually active women to go for medical checkup as of when due.
Ojekere urged women to always examine their breast few days after completion of their monthly menstrual period so as to shake off cervical cancer off their body system and for easy detection.
Some indigent school children from Gifted Steppers, a non-governmental organization who thronged the event to display their dancing skills to the admiration of Akeredolu smiled home as they were dangled with gifts and scholarship offers by BRECAN.
The founder of the organization, Miss Oma Ihuoma, said all children in her NGO are orphans picked off from under the bridge and streets of Lagos, fed by her and are now undergoing traning at a dancing school in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The walk also witnessed an American Flag Football exhibition match facilitated by two teams in the newly flagged off Shitsuke Flag Football league in Nigeria called The TROGONS and The GIDRONS.
The GIDRONS and friends played for Team BRECAN and The TROGONS played for Team Elegushi inside the may bowl of Leisure Treasure Park.
Series of Free health Services such as Blood Pressure examination, Cancer Screening, HIV Test and other activities such as football clinics with giveaways, catch drills and route drills also featured at the walk.
