Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
UYO, Nigeria – A non‑profit organisation, OncoBridge Foundation, in collaboration with the International Cancer Centre, Abuja, has launched free cervical and prostate cancer screening for 140 residents in selected rural communities of Akwa Ibom State as part of activities to mark World Cancer Day 2026. The screening, which targeted 70 men and 70 women, took place in early February 2026 and was accompanied by a market sensitisation campaign, a public health symposium, and the formal launch of SCREEN360 Nigeria, a flagship project designed to expand access to cancer detection services across underserved areas of the South‑South region.
According to a statement issued by the foundation’s founder, Dr Maurice Johnson, a medical practitioner, the initiative was part of a broader strategy to drive home the message that “cancer prevention is better than treatment.” The World Cancer Day 2026 theme, “United by Unique”, provided the backdrop for a series of events that included a breast cancer education campaign at Akpan Andem Market in Uyo, a public lecture at Ibom Multi‑Speciality Hospital, and a symposium that brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders and cancer survivors. The market outreach was particularly strategic: medical teams engaged directly with traders and shoppers, discussing risk factors, early warning signs and the importance of timely testing, thereby taking cancer education beyond conventional clinical settings.
“As an organisation, we are working hard to reduce cancer prevalence in our society through rural cancer education, risk reduction and prevention, and capacity building, as well as youth inclusion in cancer health policy advocacy within and beyond Akwa Ibom State through collaboration with cancer centres, health organisations and other cancer NGOs,” Dr Johnson said. He lauded the International Cancer Centre, Abuja, OBCare, Ibom Multi‑Speciality Hospital, Bokano Nigeria Ltd, and DipGold Human Development Foundation for partnering with the foundation and supporting its humanitarian cancer care programme in the state’s rural communities.
The co‑founder of the OncoBridge Foundation, Dr Joseph Etuk, explained that the programmes are designed to “raise cancer awareness and education in society, provide easier access to cancer screening, diagnosis and management, and improve the quality of life of cancer patients in rural communities.” He urged other non‑governmental organisations, corporate bodies and well‑meaning individuals interested in supporting social impact projects to partner with the foundation to expand its reach to villages with little or no access to basic cancer prevention programmes. “Our project goals include promoting and expanding our reach through humanitarian cancer care and social work in rural communities through partnerships and collaborations,” Etuk said.
Deborah Adeniran, Programme and Partnership Manager of the International Cancer Centre, Abuja, disclosed that the screening programme was the first project in the South‑South sponsored by the centre through the OncoBridge Foundation. “At the International Cancer Centre, Abuja, we are dedicated to advocating and supporting those affected by cancer,” she said. “Our goal is to provide unwavering support to patients, survivors, and their families.” She noted that the centre embarked on the awareness campaign because of the suffering many women and men in the region endure due to late detection. She reassured participants and partners that the centre is committed to supporting more social impact projects on cancer across the country, especially in regions facing disparities in cancer care.
A total of 70 women received free cervical cancer screenings while 70 men underwent free prostate cancer screenings, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 140. The exercise was preceded by a sensitisation outreach at Urua Akpan Andem Market, where medical teams educated traders and shoppers on cancer risk factors, early warning signs and the importance of timely testing. The initiative also featured a public health symposium titled “United By Unique: People‑Centred Cancer Care in Diverse Communities”, which drew healthcare professionals, stakeholders and community members to discuss collaborative approaches to cancer prevention and treatment. The symposium was held at Ibom Multi‑Specialty Hospital, Itam, Uyo, between February 6 and 7, 2026.
The choice of Akwa Ibom for this intervention reflects the growing recognition that cancer care in Nigeria must reach beyond urban centres. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria records an estimated 124,000 new cancer cases annually, with breast, cervical and prostate cancers accounting for a significant proportion of the disease burden. Late presentation remains a major challenge, as many rural residents lack access to affordable screening services, leading to diagnosis at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and outcomes are poor. Community‑based initiatives such as the OncoBridge Foundation’s screening programme aim to close that gap by bringing services directly to the people, reducing financial and geographical barriers to early detection.
Dr Johnson emphasised that the foundation’s work extends beyond a single event. Through SCREEN360 Nigeria, its flagship project, the organisation plans to scale up rural cancer education, risk reduction and prevention, capacity building, and youth inclusion in cancer health policy advocacy within and beyond Akwa Ibom State. The foundation also aims to collaborate with cancer centres, health organisations and other cancer NGOs to sustain momentum throughout the year, not just during World Cancer Day commemorations. “The aim is to drive home the message that ‘cancer prevention is better than treatment’,” Johnson said, adding that the foundation is working assiduously to reduce cancer prevalence among men and women through comprehensive community‑based approaches.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cancer awareness, routine screening and strengthened collaborative care initiatives in Akwa Ibom State and across Nigeria. “Early detection saves lives,” Adeniran said. “By bringing screening services closer to the people, we are reducing barriers and encouraging proactive health‑seeking behaviour.” The screening programme was supported by OBCare, Ibom Multi‑Speciality Hospital, Bokano Nigeria Ltd, and DipGold Human Development Foundation, among other partners.
The success of the programme has already begun to generate interest from other community leaders and local government officials, who have expressed a desire to replicate the model in their own areas. As one market trader who received screening told a volunteer, “I did not know that a simple test could save my life. Now I will tell my sisters to come next time.” For now, 140 residents have taken the first step toward early detection. The foundation hopes that number will grow as more partnerships are forged and more communities embrace the message that cancer is not a death sentence if caught early enough.
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