The Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) organized a one-day cancer sensitization and free screening program in Edo State on Thursday in an effort to increase awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.
The event, which coincided with the global commemoration of the 2025 World Cancer Day, brought together various health professionals to educate the participants, who were primarily women, on the importance of regular check-ups, healthy lifestyles, and early diagnosis in the fight against breast and cervical cancer.
Barr. (Mrs.) Faith Ojo, President and Chief Operating Officer of LAPO Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), said that the event was an opportunity for the organization to reaffirm its commitment to combat the prevalent disease (cancer).
The LAPO NGO President and Chief Operating Officer stated that the organization’s holistic approach addresses not only the economic aspects of poverty but also the health disparities that frequently accompany it.
Barr. Ojo insisted that LAPO has recognized the complex relationship between health issues and socioeconomic status in society over the years, noting that the organization has been committed to the social, health, and economic empowerment of the poor and vulnerable in the nation since 1987.
“We have conducted extensive health education programs, free medical screenings, and referral services, focusing on diseases that disproportionately affect low-income populations.”
“Our malaria prevention and education programs, for instance, have saved lives, reduced school absenteeism, and improved maternal and child health in target communities.”
“Recognising that economic stability is crucial for health, LAPO has provided microfinance services to empower women, youth, and small-scale entrepreneurs.”
“By facilitating access to financial resources, we have enabled individuals to improve their livelihoods and, by extension, their health outcomes.”
“For over 25 years, LAPO has been a consistent advocate for policy reforms in poverty reduction, health, education, and economic empowerment,” she said
Speaking about the LAPO-C4 Project’s achievements since 2016, Ojo revealed that through community outreach, printed enlightenment handbills, radio and television jingles, bus branding, and billboard messages throughout target states, approximately 3,281,723 members of the target community have been reached with cancer education messages.
She further mentioned that by educating 49 healthcare professionals and providing screening materials on a regular basis, 45 partner health institutions have been upgraded for free basic screening services.
“Beneficiaries have been screened for breast, cervical, prostate and childhood cancers, and many referred for further screening and treatment.”
“The project equally facilitated the strengthening of community capacity for cancer control through the establishment of community committees or groups for cancer control.”
“Through the community level screening and referral services, the project has identified some early stages of malignant tumours which were successfully treated due to their early detection”, she revealed.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “United by Unique,” Ojo emphasized that LAPO is dedicated to acknowledging that every cancer experience is different and that our goal is to offer specialized support services that cater to the individual requirements of cancer patients and their families.
Regarding LAPO’s cooperative efforts, Ojo said that the organization works to provide a holistic support system that tackles the various issues that cancer presents by collaborating with government organizations, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.
In addition to making sure that information is available to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, she gave her word that LAPO will keep interacting with communities to increase awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment choices.
Sensitising the participants, Jedafe Diane Matron, Chief Nursing Officer (Matron), New Era Clinic in Benin, said that statistics have revealed that more women are dying of breast and cervical cancer owing to poor knowledge about the disease.
Diane enlightened the women about the danger inherent in late detection of breast and cervical cancer, adding that early detection is key to tackling the disease.
“We always advise our mothers to come for free cancer screening at least twice a year in this facility as LAPO is supporting the clinic in carrying out free cancer screening. Breast screening can be done by oneself at home by checking for any abnormal growth, or bleeding in the breast”
“Regular check-ups can help to detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that causes warts on various parts of the body, depending on the strain and this can be quickly freezer so as to make it inactive.”
“For prevention, we must maintain personal hygiene, regular check-ups, and proper treatment of Virginia infection,” she said.
Despite being married for years, Cynthia Ajayi and Gift Osayamwen, two ladies who benefited from the screening, stated in separate interviews that they had never heard of cancer screening.
“The program has further expanded their knowledge about breast and cervical cancer as well as the need for them to be going for regular check-ups,” the dou said, praising LAPO for the initiative.
