LAPO reaches 5.5 million Nigerians with cancer awareness, offers free breast, cervical prostate screening in Edo

The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) says it has reached more than 5.5 million people with cancer prevention education, awareness and advocacy as it intensifies efforts to promote early detection and improve access to screening services across Nigeria.

The organisation disclosed this during its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month programme in Edo State, where it partnered with the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Oredo Local Government Area, to provide free breast and cervical cancer screening for women and prostate cancer screening for men.

Speaking at the event, LAPO president, Dr Faith Osazuwa-Ojo, said the organisation’s investment in health interventions was because good health was fundamental to poverty reduction, productive families and sustainable national development.

Osazuwa-Ojo stated that the theme of this year’s campaign: “Every Story Is Unique, Every Journey Matters,” underscored the need to combine public awareness with compassion, early diagnosis and support for people affected by cancer.

According to her, despite increased awareness, many women still face barriers to early diagnosis and treatment, resulting in preventable suffering and devastating consequences for their families.

She called on women to prioritise regular breast examinations and appropriate screening, urging families, communities and institutions to support people affected by cancer and help eliminate the stigma associated with the disease.

The LAPO president commended the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Oredo local government for partnering with the organisation, describing collaboration as essential to improving public health outcomes.

At the Oredo Primary Health Centre, where the screening exercise was conducted, the facility’s matron, Mrs Irogue Evelyn, said the programme was designed to bring essential preventive healthcare services closer to residents.

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She explained that the exercise covered breast and cervical cancer screening for women and prostate cancer screening for men, adding that the organisers hoped to screen between 50 and 100 women.

She added that the screening services were available free of charge at designated health facilities across Edo State, urging women to take advantage of the opportunity rather than wait until they developed symptoms.

Also, a LAPO staff member, Mrs Valentina Osaro, said more women were embracing screening following the organisation’s sustained awareness campaigns in communities, churches, markets and motor parks.

She listed Egor Staff Clinic, Evbuotubu Primary Health Centre and Evbuomodu Primary Health Centre among the facilities where women could access the services.

The Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency representative, Mrs Itohan Bazuaye, said the agency had collaborated with LAPO on several health interventions, particularly programmes addressing non-communicable diseases.

Bazuaye stated that the partnership had previously supported cancer awareness and screening activities in parts of the state, adding that the October campaign was aimed at expanding public understanding of breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

According to her, the agency conducts community outreach programmes, including visits to rural communities and grassroots meetings, to ensure that health information reaches people who might otherwise have limited access to it.