Marcelle Ruth Friends BREAST CARE DAY 2023
2025-08-15 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Breast Cancer Awareness and Education Day: Honouring Survivors
A standing ovation was given to breast cancer survivors during an education and awareness day hosted by the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist Hospital at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event featured captivating educational talks by experts: Dr. Liz Anderson spoke on “Breast Screening in the UK,” Dr. Tim Crooks discussed “How Science is Changing the Narrative of Breast Cancer Treatments,” and Dr. Iloba Njonkama addressed “Surgical Options for Breast Cancer Patients.” Additionally, the BRECAN girls delivered a mesmerizing dance drama demonstrating self-breast examination through dance, engaging, and educating the audience.
The highlight of the day was a Fireside Chat with three survivors, moderated by the incredible Mrs. Yewande Zaccheus, an award-winning writer and film producer. The survivors shared various aspects of their cancer journey, including their initial emotions upon diagnosis, the subsequent fear, and the impact of mastectomy on their lives. The candid discussions, spanning about 45 minutes, left half the room holding back tears while rooting for the survivors and thanking them for their courage to share their experiences. At the conclusion of the session, the entire room rose to their feet to celebrate them.
We extend our gratitude to all our guests for joining us, many of whom stayed until the very end on a public holiday. Special thanks to our Guest of Honour, Professor Ifeoma Okoye MBBS, FWACS, FMCR, Professor of Radiology at UNN, a long-time advocate for cancer awareness in Nigeria. We also appreciate Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, former first lady of Kebbi State and Chair of FLAC, for delivering her goodwill message virtually.
Additional gratitude goes to the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor David Oke; Ibironke Sodeinde (DR), President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Lagos branch; Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, CEO of First Exploration & Petroleum Company Ltd, and many others.
Special mentions go to Lancet Laboratories, LiveWell Initiative, Atinuke Cancer Foundation, Akoma Health, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN Lagos, JNCI, GE Healthcare, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, Medcourt Support Services, and the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria.
It was truly a wonderful way to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We left with two main messages: we need to break the cancer stigma by speaking out and sharing stories, and we need to spread the message for annual health screening because “early detection saves lives”!
