Stakeholders to converge on Abuja for cancer summit

With the goal of reducing death from breast cancer, The Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, will host about 500 stakeholders to a 2-day cancer summit from 28th-29thOctober 2015, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking to journalist earlier today in Lagos, CEAFON President, Prof. Francis Adeyemi Durosinmi-Etti the summit under the theme, ‘stop breast cancer from taking her life’, will assess major challenges of diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer in Nigeria as well as bring together stakeholders involved in cancer care, towards finding a solution for the menace.
According to him, the summit is expected to evolve and propose to government a National policy on the treatment of breast cancer in Nigeria. At the summit, experts who have studied the disease for many years would discuss breast cancer prevention, government policy development, diagnosis, treatment protocols and possible national guidelines, patient assistance programs, health insurance for breast cancer and other access initiatives.
“Over the years, there has been an increasing number in breast cancer patients and one of the factors has been the several challenges facing the effective tackling of the disease. For this reason, about 500 stakeholders are expected at the cancer summit to generate discussions on solutions and way of creating awareness on the disease.
“Cancer concerns us all. There is a lot to be done and we are making this effort to stop the scourge. This summit is important, as we are gathering several stakeholders to discuss how to win the battle against the disease. Cancer has increased mortality because there is still a high level of ignorance on it, inadequate specialists and very few cancer centres in Nigeria”, he said.
Special guests expected at the summit include The Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed Buhari, and Mr. Linus Awute, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, top government functionaries, health related private sector and members of the diplomatic community.