UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective:In Africa and Nigeria in particular, information on Cancer is lacking. In 1995, Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation was setup to create awareness on the disease and give hope to Cancer Victims

Methods:Since then, breast health education in Nigeria has become a public discourse. However, Nigeria's huge population of 120 million people with 250 different ethnicities has made breast health difficult. Local languages are used because of illiteracy level. The continent of Africa is battling with Primary diseases like Malaria, Polio and HIV/AIDs with limited resources left for Cancer information/management. There is the problem of Spiritual Healing, Traditional Herbalists, Witchcraft, Poverty, Hunger and fear of the unknown of people pretending that the disease does not exist. There is no National Cancer Control Programme or A Policy on Cancer in Nigeria as contained in the WHO Policies.

Results: We have made tremendous achievement in the past 10 Years of existence through aggressive media campaigns on print, radio, television stations, faith based organizations and grassroots associations. Women are now aware through the Breast Self Exam (BSE) and recently introduced Mammography Screening Program in 2004. As a result of our persistent and consistent campaign, the Foundation achieved a feat of attracting the approval of Nigeria's President for the Pink Ribbon Activities of International Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign of 1st - 31st October which has brought a new focus on breast health education. A committee has been inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Health to draw up a National Cancer Policy for Nigeria.