….Foundation detects 50 breast lumps, 81 cervical-related cases in 655 people screened
…Oncologist raises concern over rising cases, urges regular screening
Daud Olatunji
The Uplift Development Foundation, established by the wife of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has offered free breast lump removal surgeries to 30 women identified during a cancer screening exercise in Ogun State.
The foundation’s founder, Dr Mrs Olufunso Amosun, disclosed this on Tuesday during the surgical intervention programme, explaining that the initiative was designed to ensure that women diagnosed with breast lumps were not denied treatment because of financial constraints.
The surgeries, medically known as lumpectomies, were sponsored by Ibikunle Amosun through the foundation.
Olufunso said the initiative began in 2017 after the foundation realised that some women identified with breast lumps during its cancer awareness and screening programmes were often left without the financial support needed to pursue further treatment.
She explained that the foundation had commenced cancer awareness, advocacy and screening programmes in 2012 but later expanded its activities to include free breast lump removal surgeries for women who required the procedure.
According to her, the latest screening exercise examined 655 people, uncovering 81 cases of cervical-related health concerns and 53 breast-related cases.
She said 50 of the breast-related cases involved lumps, while further investigations conducted by surgeons established that 30 women required surgical intervention.
The beneficiaries were subsequently scheduled for and offered the procedures free of charge, with the former governor providing financial support for the operations through the foundation.
Olufunso commended the surgeons, medical professionals and other health workers involved in the screening and surgical procedures, noting that their contributions had helped make the intervention possible.
She stressed the need for early detection of cancer and other health conditions, saying the foundation’s screening programme was aimed at identifying potential medical problems and encouraging affected individuals to seek appropriate care without delay.
The foundation’s founder also expressed satisfaction with the participation of prominent individuals in this year’s screening exercise, explaining that a separate section had been created to encourage them to undergo medical checks.
A paediatric oncologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Dr Morufat Ogundeyi, expressed concern over the number of breast lumps detected during the screening exercise.
Ogundeyi said the number of cases had increased compared with previous exercises, when the foundation typically recorded about 15 lumpectomies.
She urged members of the public to take cancer awareness and regular medical screening seriously, stressing that early detection was important in ensuring that patients received timely medical attention.
The specialist also noted that cancer affected both children and adults, emphasising the need for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment across age groups.
One of the beneficiaries, Aminat Adebesin, expressed gratitude to the foundation, saying the free surgery had relieved her of the financial burden associated with the procedure.
Adebesin said she had only recently discovered the lump and might not have been able to undergo surgery promptly because of financial constraints.
She expressed relief after the operation and thanked the foundation and its sponsors for making the intervention possible.
The programme highlights the importance of linking cancer screening to access to treatment, particularly for women who may be unable to afford the cost of further investigations and surgery.
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