How I Survived Breast Cancer— Lagos State First Lady Abimbola Fashola

•Dame Abimbola Fashola

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, has narrated how she escaped the dreaded breast cancer.

Speaking at a ceremony to flag off the first round of the Integrated Statewide Wellness Health Week, at Rauf Aregbesola Hospital in Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, Alimosho, Lagos, western Nigeria, Mrs. Fashola said consistent screening and early detection saved her from the killer disease.

In her words: "Early detection made me survive breast cancer. I was able to survive it through early detection and screening. This year alone, I know about six people that have died of breast cancer and it did not warn them."

"All of them died in the spate of one month. Only God knows what would have happened if I had not detected mine on time," she said.

"For years, we have witnessed on a regular basis and separate times awareness and screening programmes specifically for hypertension, diabetes, breast, cervical and prostate cancers."

"This new initiative tagged 'Statewide Wellness Health Week', is a welcome idea that will integrate into one all screening and awareness of the five diseases for both men and women at the same time."

"Please be aware that these diseases do not present any noticeable symptoms until at the late stages, then it will be too expensive to treat and manage and could lead to loss of life and bread winners," she warned.

The highlight of the programme was free health screening for diabetes, hypertension, prostate, cervix and breast cancers for residents of Alimosho.

In his remark at the occasion, the chairman of the council, Mr. Abiodun Mafe, said the rate at which Nigerians die of non-communicable diseases calls for serious concern. He called on residents to seize the opportunity of the free health screening to do a thorough medical check-up to know their health status.