BWS Effort in Cancer Screening in Rural Communities

Background and context: Nigeria, being the most populous African country has the highest cancer burden. Most of the population reside in rural areas where there are no functional health centers. Life in these communities is marked by profound ignorance, superstition and stigma, concerning cancers. There is no cancer control plan in place in the country. Aim: BWS aims at increasing awareness of the need for prevention and early detection of cancers. Strategy/Tactics: Three-pronged approach of education, screening and vaccination, with navigation where required. Monthly education and cancer screening in rural communities. Provision of a navigation system of medical follow-up for patients with a positive screening result; establishing treatment and support care for patients and recruiting and training volunteers and local advocates for cancer awareness campaigns. Program/Policy process: Monthly education/enlightenment activities in various rural communities in southeast Nigeria. Dissemination of information ...