Project Pink Blue (PPB) in collaboration with ABC Global Alliance is set to create a Psychological Centre for Cancer patients across the country.
The Program Coordinator, PPB , Gloria C. Okwu who is also a cancer survivor stated this concluded Cancer survivors conference 2021 held in Abuja.
She explained that one of the biggest challenges cancer patients face is the mental implications that comes with the disease such as panic attacks, depression among others.
She expressed concern that aside getting treatment, the mental health of patients are not addressed in Nigeria.
She said PPB in partner with ABC will establish the Centre where cancer patients will be counseled about their mental health, support them where necessary and also manage them.
“In the Centre , these cancer patients can talk about their fears and we will also have cancer survivors who will be counseling them on how to take care of themselves ,” she said .
The President , ABC Global Alliance, Director, Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinica Centre , Lisbon, Portugal , Dr Fatima Cardoso said expensive medicines are not the priorities for cancer patients but early detection, education and awareness.
According to her, some cancers are curable if early detected with access to high quality care adding that screening and early diagnosis increases the chances of curability .
She estimated that in Nigeria, 124,000 people die of cancer diseases every year which are mostly pastorate and breast cancer .
She also urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to cancer patients by providing infrastructures and resources .
Also, the co-founder , Bricon cancer foundation and also a breast cancer survivor, Abigail Simon Hart advised cancer patients that the disease is not a death sentence adding that they could live a perfectly and good life despite cancer diagnosis.
She wondered why Africans feel that if the breasts are removed, they are no more attractive and emphasized on the need to beat cancer first .
Also at the event, over 100 Wigs , Compressor sleeves , caps and others was distributed to cancer patients at the conference in collaboration with German Breast cancer Association, ABC Global Alliance, Portugal and Project Pink Blue (PPB).
