Pathfinder International, a Non-Governmental Advocacy group says a total of 70,000 teenage girls from age -nine have been administered with Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) vaccine across Ogun State to prevent them against Cervical Cancer in future, even as a Professor of Radiation Oncologist at the College of Medicine in University of Ibadan, Adeniyi Abidemi Adenipekun expressed concern over high rate of death arising from cancer cases put at over 70,000 out of more than 120, 000 cancer cases recorded annually in Nigeria,
The State Co-ordinator of Pathfinder International, Mr. Udeme Emah made this known to newsmen on Tuesday during a symposium jointly organized by the group, Nigeria Cancer Society, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other NGOs as part of activities marking the 2026 World Cancer Day within the South West region, held at the Telemedicine Hall of Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta under the theme "United By Unique"
Udeme explained that the teenage girls were vaccinated with HVP vaccine to boost fertility while making them live longer and healthier contrary to erroneous beliefs in some communities that the vaccine was a strategy by government to reduce population by preventing Girl-Child from being pregnanted in future
He expressed concern that most people in the local communities have been preventing their Girl-Child from being vaccinated with HVP vaccine based on the false beliefs being spread on social media platforms
The Pathfinder International State Co-ordinator, however dismissed the beliefs while encouraging parents in various communities across the State, to allow their teenage girls to be vaccinated against having Cervical Cancer in future
He clarified that cancer is not an affliction as widely believed by people in some local communities but generic disease
Udeme Emah later addressing stakeholders at the symposium, expressed the excitement over working relationship between Pathfinder International and Nigeria Cancer Society targeted at prevention of cancer through promotion of early detection and ensuring more access quality health care for the people
"Here in Ogun State, Pathfinder International is working closely with the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, FAHIO, and other partners to build a strong network of influential voices we call HPV Champions. These Champions are on the ground creating awareness, driving demand, and improving the uptake of HPV vaccines among 9-year-old girls, with the aim of ending cervical cancer—one of the few cancers that can actually be prevented through vaccination. While myths and misinformation still exist, our Champions have continued to address them through community outreaches, media engagements, and advocacy visits to key decision-makers"
He restated the commitment of
Pathfinder International to evidence-based interventions under the partnership with the Nigeria Cancer Society with the aim of
improving the lives of women and girls
"we reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier, cancer-aware Nigeria—a Nigeria where cancer prevention through vaccination, and early screening truly save lives", he maintained
Similarly Prof Adenipekun in his keynote presentation at the symposium, stressed the need for establishment of specialized medical centres at regional and state levels to make cancer treatment more accessible to patients in order to stem the tide
The Radiation Oncologist Expert in his keynote presentation titled Advancing Inclusive , Patient-Centred Care in Nigeria", identified late diagnosis due to low awareness of the disease, limited diagnostic capacity and few functional health facilities, stigma and preference for alternate care as some of the factors responsible for the high rate of cancer cases in the country
He stressed importance of cancer control policy formulation and implementation to encourage more investment in establishment of well equipped cancer centre at the regional, state which must be extended to Primary Health Centre with well trained medical personnel to create awareness and make treatment more accessible to the people in rural areas who are the most vulnerable
He also cited some of the symptoms of cancer to include abnormal swollen in part of the body, prolonged cough not responding to treatment, expressing sleepless at night amongst others, emphasizing the need to report such signs to medical experts for screening and early detection, so as to commence the treatment immediately and prevent it from developing in the body
He stressed importance of involving cancer patients in decision making when treating them at health facilities, saying there must be shared decision taken by both both medical expert and patient which must be properly documented for medical records purposes
Embracing this approach according to him, reduces cases of death arising from cancer cases than just focusing on the treatment of the victims
The Professor of Radiation Oncologist equally encouraged experts and advocacy groups to always involve survivors of breast cancer disease in their awareness campaign to reduce the stigma amongst patients and ensure early detection and prevention of the disease
He therefore called on every stakeholders to collectively work as a team and reduce the disturbing rate of cancer cases in the country
Also the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker expressed the readiness of government to work with advocacy groups and other stakeholders, saying the present of administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun is committed to the fight against cancer , hence the integration of the cancer screening and treatment in the State Health Insurance Scheme
The State Chairman of Nigeria Cancer Society, Dr Ololade Kehinde represented by his vice , Dr. Fatima Adefunke Dauda, called on all stakeholders including governor institutions, teaching hospitals, professional bodies, civil society organizations , the media and development partners to join hands in advancing early detection, timely treatment, palliative care, survivorship support and evidence-based cancer policies
"Let me emphasize that cancer control is not the responsibility of one institution or profession alone. It is a shared duty and together, we can reduce preventable cancer deaths and improve quality of life of those living with cancer", he charged
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