MTN Foundation breast cancer screening initiative holds in Enugu

In a drive to create renewed awareness about Breast Cancer, MTN
Foundation (MTNF), the corporate social investment vehicle of MTN
Nigeria, has taken its free breast cancer screening to residents of
the South East geopolitical zone of the country. The MTNF Breast
Cancer Awareness Campaign took place in Enugu on Saturday, 25th of
October, to commemorate the annual global awareness on the scourge of
breast cancer held every October.


The Executive Secretary, MTNF, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, who was represented
by Manager, Health Portfolio, MTNF, Mr. Victor Orie-Ononogbu, said
that breast cancer is the number one cancer scourge afflicting people,
and one in eight women is at risk of having breast cancer in their
lifetime.

''This initiative, which underscores the essence of the Foundation to
positively impact the lives of Nigerians, will be providing free
breast cancer screening at MTN Mammography centers located at the,
General Hospital, Marina, Lagos State; Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja,
Kogi State; Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Yobe State; Usmanu Dan
Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State; University of
Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State and Specialist Teaching
Hospital, Irrua, Edo State,'' he said.

As part of the awareness walk, students medical practitioners and
Nollywood celebrities like Cynthia Okereke, Chidinma and Chidiebere
Aneke (the Aneke Twins), Stan Amandi,  participated in a road-show
which kicked off from the old site of the University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital, Enugu and terminated at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. The
walk will be replicated in beneficiary states which include Edo,
Sokoto, Yola and Kogi, included sensitizing the public about breast
cancer with medical practitioners and specialists on ground to
enlighten people and encourage women to get screened at designated
points.

At a short ceremony, Dr. Georgie Affam, Founder Breast Care
Foundation, said breast cancer kills one in every 25 Nigerian women
and urged women, to get screened every year to prevent untimely death.

"The incidence of breast cancer is one in 25, but because we don't
screen our population, it's actually a death sentence. Here in
Nigeria, most of the diagnoses are made when it is too late, thereby
leading to several needless and painful deaths of our beloved mothers,
sisters, aunts, friends and colleagues," she said.

At the event, Mrs. Affam demonstrated how breast self-examination is
done to check for lumps, thickenings and nipple discharge. Medical
practitioners were also available to perform clinical breast
examination and offer free advisory services. The Nollywood
celebrities present lauded the initiative whilst challenging other
corporate bodies to do more in the fight against breast cancer.

MTN Foundation is currently executing various projects in 341
locations across the 36 states of Nigeria, including the FCT. The
Foundation has spent over N10.5 billion on social projects in the
areas of health, education and economic empowerment. Recently, the
Foundation deployed state-of-the-art Mobile Clinics stocked with
medical equipment and drugs to States across the six geopolitical
zones. These mobile clinics have helped to reduce the incidence of
maternal and child deaths, especially in rural communities.