Dr. Halima Usman, Associate Professor of Gynae-Oncology at Gombe State University
Medical experts have called for improved awareness, manpower training, and funding to tackle cervical cancer in Nigeria.
Speaking at an event organised by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in partnership with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in Gombe, Dr Halima Usman, Associate Professor of Gynae-Oncology at Gombe State University, said poor awareness and limited facilities were hindering treatment.
Usman noted that cervical cancer, though preventable, remains one of the leading causes of death among women. “Most of these women do not even know the disease exists,” she said, adding that training lower-level health workers in rural areas could aid early detection.
She revealed that a 2021 screening in Gombe found 222 out of 1,000 women with precancerous lesions, most of which were untreated.
Dr Gift Bawa of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, said breast cancer also remains a significant concern, urging government collaboration with NGOs to expand access to care.
MWAN’s Dr Hauwa Adamu said the group is providing free screening for up to 500 women, stressing that early detection remains key to saving lives.
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