Ondo First Lady, Madam Akeredolu, asks govt to budget funds for cancer control, treatment

The first lady of Ondo state, Mrs.Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu, has asked all the various levels of government to make provision in their budget for the fight against and control of the deadly cancer disease.

Mrs. Akeredolu spoke on Monday during a parley with media executives in Akure, the state capital.

The event was to formally intimate the general public about the launching of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and investiture of the state executives.

The first lady explained that BRECAN was about humanitarian services.

“It is something that everybody should be concerned about because it is affecting an important sector of our society,” Mrs. Akeredolu explained.

The governor’s wife, who said she is a survivor of the cancer disease, identified women as a predominant victim of breast cancer in the world.

She survived the cancer disease about twenty years ago and explained that any disease that affects women would have negative impact on the people.

Mrs. Akeredolu later lamented that the government and individuals suffering the ailments have not been proactive in the control, prevention and treatment of the disease.

The governor’s wife who also founded the BRECAN group expressed bitterness at the lukewarm attitude of government, unlike other countries across the world to the fight against the ailment.

“I have been on the rooftop screaming for everyone that cares to know that I am a survivor of this ailment.

“I am using my experience to enlist to the heart of everyone that you can also survive it.

“Twenty years ago and I am still looking good, it is because of information.

“If I am here speaking to you after 20 years, I don’t see why any woman should die of breast cancer,” she said.

She assured that the state government would establish a well-equipped cancer treatment with radiotherapy, mammogram and other facilities.

Mrs. Akeredolu while recounting her experience lamented that government and corporate bodies are not doing enough in the fight against cancer.

“Breast cancer is ravaging our women, some get it as young as 18 or 21 years.

She, however, advised the government to identified breast cancer as a deadly killer disease and should have budget for it.