Pink Pearl Foundation Takes Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening to Cameroon

As part of an effort to enlighten and empower Cameroonian women at the grassroots, Dr. Lydia Fondufe recently invited Pink Pearl Foundation (PPF) to provide free lecture and screening on breast and cervical cancer.

The event, which took place in March 2013 at the ministry of health in Kumbo, Cameroon, had in attendance the PPF team from Nigeria headed by its founder, Mrs Orode Ryan-Okpu and senior partner, Mr. Onye Ubanatu. Medical partners from Diamond Helix Hospital; Dr. Ufuoma Okotete and Dr. Vivian Mbaba were also in attendance.

The event  which also marked National Women's Day in Cameroon,  kicked off with lectures from Dr. Oketete on the importance of early detection of symptoms (breast and cervical cancer). "Those already with the disease shouldn't be stigmatized, rather they should be cared for and loved, all they need is hope," Mrs Ryan-Okpu added during her presentation.

At the training, the women were taken through a session on Breast Self-Examination (BSE) with emphasis on the need for regular mammography tests and checkups.

A free breast and cervical cancer screening later followed after the session. Of the 175 women screened, 16 were found to have lumps/mass tissues in their breast while 67 were diagnosed with cervicitis, discolorations or discharges.

Mr. Onye Ubanatu, while giving  closing remark, urged the women to share their knowledge with other women who were not able to attend the event.

Since its launch in 2007, Pink Pearl Foundation has shown dedication towards eradicating Breast and Cervical Cancer in Nigeria through its awareness creation programs. The organisation has so far implemented over 40 of such programs to support the cause.