The Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), on Thursday sensitised school girls in military and police schools in the FCT on cervical cancer prevention.
The sensitisation programme was organised as part of the 3-Day Medical Outreach by the association to mark the Cancer Awareness Month.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said that the awareness was to encourage women and girls to go for early detection and treatment.
She added that the outreach was to reach out, create awareness and sensitise the children on the common health conditions and preventive measures, as cancer has affected millions of people worldwide, causing immeasurable pain and suffering.
Musa said the programme was also to encourage students to get involved in cancer awareness, adding that they would also be availed of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine that would be launched on Oct. 24, for girls of between nine and 14 years.
“This is because Nigeria has one of the highest death rates among women and children hence my passion towards providing you with adequate information that you need to prevent or fight this scourge.
“Furthermore, this month of October is cancer awareness month and this is important because breast cancer is the second commonest cancer in the world while cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women.
“These two conditions have taken several lives of our women and we also have positive stories of survivors amongst us which informed our 3-day medical outreach,” she said.
Mrs Musa said every girl-child should be able to examine her breast at home to detect lumps early, because early detection saves lives.
She added that more than 200 Adolescent girls from tri-service schools would be sensitised on HPV infection, and the vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.
“Also, we will reach out to orphans and vulnerable children including children of our fallen heroes to encourage them on healthy practices, deworm them, provide medical services and support them with school supplies.
“The program will round up with free medical check-up for DEPOWA members and a road march/aerobics exercise to encourage our women to be physically active and take care of their health so they can continue to take care of the home front, their husbands and children,” she said.
