Wife of Ekiti state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has advised women against visiting herbalists and religious centres for diagnosis and treatment of breast and other gender-specific cancers.
She gave the advice during the launch and distribution of 32,000 units of Breast Self-Examination kits to officials of the 16 local government areas of the state at the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre, Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday.
She emphasised the need for self-examination of breasts by women for early detection of lumps, while she also encouraged husbands to remind their wives.
Erelu Fayemi stressed that breast cancer could be easily treated when detected and presented early at a standard health institution.
She 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 with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (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, in his remarks, disclosed that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration had committed over N100 million in supports of citizens suffering from one form of cancer or the other.
Fasubaa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, said nine women had already been supported to undergo cancer surgery from the fund.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Paul Omotosho, promised to ensure that the local government administration effectively distributed the kits to Ekiti women, backed with adequate awareness and sensitisation.
