The Kano Cancer Treatment Centre (KCTC) has conducted a community sensitisation and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination mobilisation outreach aimed at educating residents on cervical cancer prevention and encouraging participation in an upcoming vaccination exercise.
The outreach, held at the Giginyu Primary Health Care Centre, was organised by KCTC in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Health as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer through awareness creation, early detection, and vaccination.
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The exercise recorded a large turnout of women from Badawa and Giginyu communities, who engaged with KCTC staff and health professionals on the importance of the HPV vaccine, methods of preventing cervical cancer, and the need for regular cancer screening.
In her welcome remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of KCTC, Dr. Nafisa Abdu, explained that the outreach was organised to mobilise mothers to present their daughters for the HPV vaccination exercise scheduled for the following Saturday.
Dr. Nafisa revealed that nearly 60 per cent of cancer cases managed at KCTC are cervical cancer, highlighting the urgency of tackling the disease through prevention and early diagnosis.
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She noted that community sensitisation allows the centre to give back by ensuring preventive services reach the grassroots, stressing that the HPV vaccine is recommended for girls aged 9–14 years before first sexual contact, while older women should regularly access screening services to enable early detection.
“This is a major step towards preventing cervical cancer. The government has made the vaccine accessible and free for young girls, and we are keying into this opportunity provided by existing health policies,”
Dr. Nafisa further emphasised that achieving zero cervical cancer cases would require a multi-stakeholder approach, adding that KCTC works closely with the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Kano Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospital Management Board KUSH, and other relevant stakeholders, including cancer survivors.
She also called on philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support indigent patients who cannot afford treatment.
Also speaking at the event, Lead Radiation Therapist at KCTC, Peter Emmanuel Mshelia, highlighted common symptoms of cervical cancer, including foul-smelling vaginal discharge and abnormal bleeding.
He warned that untreated pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) could increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
On his part, the Cancer Desk Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr. Bashir Yusuf Yunusa, said the outreach formed part of activities marking World Cancer Day, alongside a one-day HPV vaccination exercise for eligible girls.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to implementing policies and programmes aimed at dispelling misconceptions and ensuring eligible girls receive the HPV vaccine.
During the session, Hajiya Nafisa Murtala from Express Radio, facilitated an interactive discussion, during which women asked questions on HPV vaccination, transmission of the infection, and treatment options particularly in polygamous marriages.
Participants, including Halima Muhammad from Badawa and Zainab Abubakar, raised concerns about vaccine safety and cervical cancer management.
Health professionals advised that all women undergo appropriate screening to determine their health status.
Highlights of the event included an interactive question-and-answer session and experience sharing by a cervical cancer survivor, Halisa Muhammad, who encouraged women to embrace prevention and early screening.