Breast Cancer: Oyo Govt, Coalition Sensitise Students on Early Detection

The Oyo State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Oyo State Coalition Against Cancer, has sensitised female secondary school students on breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breast Cancer Pink October.

The programme, held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mokola, Ibadan, featured a lecture, practical demonstration of breast self-examination and the administration of questionnaires to assess the students’ knowledge and understanding of breast cancer.

The event was attended by officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Health, including the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Alata General Hospital, Dr. Olanlege, who represented the Honourable Commissioner; the Director of Public Health Services, Dr. Akintunde Babatunde, who represented the Permanent Secretary; the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Beatrice Adeoye; the Focal Person, Non-Communicable Disease Desk, Mrs. Christiana Adedeji; the Principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Mokola, Mrs. A. M. Adebanji; representatives of the Oyo State Coalition Against Cancer, including Princess Seyi Oyewale of Amen Houston Hospital and Fertility Medical Centre, Nelson Ekujumi of Oyenike Oyekan Foundation, Dr. Foluke Sarimiye, Chairperson, Nigeria Cancer Society (Oyo State Chapter), and Mr. Promise Ihezie of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, as well as teachers, students and members of the media.

The principal of Oba Akinbiyi Model College and chief host, Mrs. Adebanji, welcomed participants to the programme and thanked the organisers for choosing the school to host the event.

She said the programme provided an important opportunity for young girls to learn about breast cancer early in life, urging the students to see themselves as ambassadors in the fight against the disease.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Akintunde Babatunde, commended the ministry and coalition partners for coming together to educate young people about breast cancer.

He described the programme as an expression of a common resolve to confront a common enemy of humanity, while appreciating all the stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the initiative.

The coalition partners subsequently delivered goodwill messages, focusing on cancer prevention, with particular emphasis on breast cancer, which is the focus of the Pink October campaign.

They urged the students to take the knowledge gained back to their schools, homes and communities and help spread awareness about breast cancer.

The Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Beatrice Adeoye, in her presentation, educated the students on breast cancer, its causes, symptoms, risk factors and the importance of breast self-examination.

She also demonstrated how to conduct breast self-examination, stating that it is best performed two or three days after the end of the monthly menstrual cycle.

According to Adeoye, “Not all lumps are cancerous, but when you see any lump in your breast or its surroundings, including the armpit, or changes in its colour or discharge from the nipples when you are not breastfeeding, go to the nearest hospital for examination.”

In her presentation, Dr. Foluke Sarimiye, Chairperson of the Nigeria Cancer Society (Oyo State Chapter) and Consultant Oncologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, urged the students to practise what they had learnt at the programme.

She stressed that cancer is not a death sentence, noting that she had witnessed many survivors of breast cancer and other forms of the disease during her decades of medical practice in Nigeria.

Dr. Sarimiye also emphasised the importance of early detection in cancer management, stating: “Cancer is treatable and curable.”

She further said modern medical equipment for cancer treatment is available in Nigeria, adding that the era of travelling abroad for cancer treatment should be over.

According to her, “From adolescent to age 22, you must do self breast examination every month, precisely two or three days after the menstrual cycle.”

She added that women aged 22 to 40 should see a doctor once every two years for breast examination, while women aged 40 and above should undergo mammography every year to assess the state of their breasts.

She emphasised the need for regular annual breast examinations.

In her contribution, Princess Seyi Oyewale said breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer among women.

She also advised the students to confide in their mothers, aunties, female teachers and school counsellors whenever they notice any changes in their breasts or bodies.

The students were subsequently administered questionnaires to assess their understanding of the lessons, while they demonstrated good knowledge of the issues discussed during the question-and-answer session.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the programme, the Focal Person and Head, Non-Communicable Disease Desk, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Christiana Adedeji, expressed gratitude to the ministry and the coalition for making the programme successful and impactful.

She called for increased collaboration between the government and non-governmental organisations in other areas of healthcare.

Some of the resource persons and students also commended the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the Coalition Against Cancer for targeting young and adolescent girls with breast cancer awareness, describing the initiative as important to deepening the fight against the disease.