World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February and is dedicated to raising awareness of cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment. This year’s theme is “Close the care gap”. The campaign raises awareness about the lack of equity in cancer care and highlights barriers that exist for many people in accessing services and receiving the care they need. In this article, we highlight the work of IPPF’s Member Association in Nigeria, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), in closing the care gap in the country.
While going about her business at the marketplace, Mrs. Olufemi came across information about cervical cancer screening services offered at the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) clinic in Lagos. Curious, and wanting to take advantage of this opportunity, she decided to visit the clinic. Before doing so, she requested her friend Mrs. Emeka to accompany her, just in case the results were not good, and she would need a shoulder to lean on.
At the PPFN clinic, Mrs. Olufemi underwent screening for cervical cancer, and could not hide her joy when her results came back bearing good news. She was tested using the Visual Inspection of the Cervix with Acetic Acid (VIA) method, which is an inexpensive, simple test that is sensitive to detecting precancerous lesions while providing instant results.
Motivated by her friend’s actions and the good results, Mrs. Emeka decided to get tested as well. Her results, however, revealed the presence of pre-cancerous lesions in her cervix. She was devastated.
Early cancer detection saves lives
Dr. Abubakar Okai Aku, a PPFN healthcare service provider reassured a distraught Mrs. Emeka by informing her that cervical cancer, when caught in its early stages could be treated. However, she was too overwhelmed with emotion to pay attention. Thankfully, her friend Mrs. Olufemi helped calm her down, wiping the tears off her cheeks, and comforting her.
Since her diagnosis was in the pre-cancerous stage, Dr. Abubakar referred Mrs. Emeka for cryotherapy treatment, also available at the PPFN Lagos clinic. According to Dr. Abubakar, cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment method that involves the freezing of the abnormal cells in the cervix, creating a way for healthy cells to grow back. This approach, used by IPPF’s Member Associations that offer cervical cancer services is aligned with national protocols and makes use of existing local infrastructure. Dr. Abubakar adds that the intervention is replicable and scalable nationwide.
Successful treatment
Mrs. Emeka immediately took up the cryotherapy treatment as advised by Dr. Abubakar. Three months later, she returned for a scheduled follow-up visit at the clinic, and all were found to be well. She had successfully responded to treatment.
Despite having precancerous lesions, Ms. Emeka did not develop cervical cancer because it had been caught in its early stage. She always thanks her friend Mrs. Olufemi for her role in helping her realize her risk for developing cervical cancer.
Today, Ms. Emeka is an advocate of cervical cancer screening in her community and uses all available opportunities to talk to women about the need for – and importance of – cervical cancer screening and its respective treatment.
PPFN’s cervical cancer intervention programs
Between 2012–2017, PPFN was part of the Cervical Cancer Screening and Preventative Therapy (CCSPT) initiative, which was aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes for women. The project significantly contributed to reducing the growing cervical cancer burden in Nigeria.
By July 2017, a total of 1,145,525 women had been screened for cervical cancer, with 1,458 positive cases, of which 1,321 of them received cryotherapy treatment through PPFN healthcare service providers.
When the CCSPT project ended, cervical cancer services were integrated into regular PPFN services. In 2021, over 1 million women were screened for cervical cancer by IPPFAR’s member association in Nigeria.
In 2014, the Federal Ministry of Health set up a cervical cancer screening technical working group for cancer prevention to scale up cervical cancer screening in the country, of which PPFN is a member. PPFN works closely with various partners, among them the National Cancer Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health to achieve its goals.
PPFN is committed to addressing the cancer burden in Nigeria, including the use of digital and other technology to increase people’s access to reproductive health services and close the equity gap in cancer care in the country.
Comments
Accessing Cervical Cancer Services and Healthcare in Nigeria – Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria 10 hours ago
February 24, 2022
[…] “We have seen women present with cancers at an advanced stage, leading to negative health outcomes. PPFN diligently works with local community structures to dispel myths and rumors about cancer, educating them and encouraging them to seek prevention and treatment services,” he says. PPFN is committed to addressing gaps with regard to cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and care services in the country. Learn more […]
Eye health tips 19 hours ago
March 8, 2023
Hi there, I do believe your blog may be having internet browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however,
if opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Aside from that, fantastic blog!
Giselle 20 hours ago
March 8, 2023
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve offered for your post.
They are very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief
for newbies. Could you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.
Pharma affiliate program 3 hours ago
March 14, 2023
I read this piece of writing completely concerning
the comparison of latest and earlier technologies, it’s awesome
article.
pharm empire 10 hours ago
March 16, 2023
beginner’s guide to pharmacy affiliate marketing
work from home jobs for seniors
work from home jobs for stay at home moms
non-gmo herbal supplement affiliates
Obtaining Finasteride Prescription 20 hours ago
April 7, 2023
I used to be able to find good info from your content.
gateio 4 hours ago
June 3, 2023
I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.
vorbelutr ioperbir 33 mins ago
June 4, 2023
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
vorbelutr ioperbir 24 hours ago
June 4, 2023
This really answered my problem, thank you!
zoritoler imol 17 hours ago
June 5, 2023
I do enjoy the manner in which you have presented this problem plus it does present me personally a lot of fodder for thought. On the other hand, because of just what I have seen, I simply just hope when the reviews stack on that people keep on issue and don’t embark upon a tirade of the news of the day. Yet, thank you for this fantastic point and whilst I can not necessarily agree with it in totality, I regard your perspective.
zoritoler imol 15 hours ago
June 15, 2023
I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i¦m satisfied to convey that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much for sure will make sure to do not overlook this site and give it a glance on a constant basis.
Log In to gate.io 2 hours ago
June 19, 2023
Reading your article has greatly helped me, and I agree with you. But I still have some questions. Can you help me? I will pay attention to your answer. thank you.
Corinne 14 hours ago
June 29, 2023
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I hope
you write once more soon!
ampicillin 500 mg disponible en Allemagne 1 hour ago
August 2, 2023
I visited multiple websites but the audio quality for audio
songs existing at this web page is genuinely marvelous.
zactos 45 mg disponible sans ordonnance à Paris 59 mins ago
August 18, 2023
Hi there, I read your blog regularly. Your story-telling style
is witty, keep it up!
graliontorile 14 hours ago
August 24, 2023
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2
Bigass Free Live Webcams with Girls 14 hours ago
August 29, 2023
Never give up on your dreams. Once you start to follow your path to your dream life, your confidence will rise, and youll enjoy the excitement
graliontorile 10 hours ago
September 10, 2023
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content!
zoritoler imol 8 hours ago
September 12, 2023
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really annoying. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.
zoritoler imol 4 hours ago
September 14, 2023
of course like your web-site however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality nevertheless I will definitely come again again.