Kwara First Lady Leads Ovarian Cancer Sensitisation Campaign

The wife of the Kwara State Governor, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for sustained efforts to raise awareness on ovarian cancer, promote early presentation, and improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

AbdulRazaq made the call at an ovarian cancer sensitisation and awareness programme held on Sunday in Ilorin, stating that the initiative was designed to encourage women and healthcare stakeholders to recognise the disease early and improve treatment outcomes.

AbdulRazaq, who is also the founder of the Ajike People Support Centre, disclosed that the sensitisation campaign spans Edo, Borno and Kano states, with Kwara taking the lead in hosting the awareness event. She noted that ovarian cancer accounts for approximately five per cent of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria.

As Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors' Spouses Forum, AbdulRazaq stressed the importance of recognising possible warning signs and understanding risk factors as key steps toward improving patient outcomes. She urged women not to dismiss persistent or unusual symptoms, advising them to seek care at healthcare centres whenever necessary.

"Estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory for 2024 show about 3,687 women in Nigeria were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, while 2,605 died from the disease," she said, adding that these figures underscore the need for a coordinated response to delays in cancer care — through increased awareness, early recognition, appropriate referral, treatment and palliative care.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, commended the governor's wife for her continued commitment to women's and family health. El-Imam said the state government has invested significantly in healthcare through the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities and the provision of equipment to secondary and tertiary institutions. She cited the ongoing development of the Abdulsalam Rabiu Oncology Centre, in partnership with the ASR Foundation, along with planned state-of-the-art diagnostic services at the Civil Service Hospital, as part of broader efforts to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment in the state.

Also speaking, Dr Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter of the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme said the scheme now has more than 100 healthcare providers within its network and has served over 200,000 beneficiaries to date. She stressed that awareness campaigns must be matched with access to affordable, quality healthcare — including preventive screening, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Prof. Kike Adesina, representing the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), urged women to pay close attention to persistent abdominal bloating or swelling, pelvic or abdominal pain, early satiety, and unusual changes in bowel or urinary habits. She said awareness efforts must translate into early presentation, timely referral, and access to appropriate care.

Similarly, Prof. Adegboyega Fawole, a Gynaecologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), urged women to promptly report unusual or persistent bodily changes to healthcare professionals.

In her presentation, Dr Idowu Ogunlaja of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) cautioned against late presentation, citing the case of a 54-year-old mother of three who experienced abdominal fullness, bloating, early satiety and lower abdominal discomfort. According to Ogunlaja, the woman initially attributed her symptoms to less serious conditions before eventually presenting at a tertiary facility, where she was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. The cancer was found to be non-resectable during surgery, and the woman later died after being placed on palliative care.

Ogunlaja described ovarian cancer as a disease that often "whispers," since its early symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked. She urged women not to ignore persistent changes in their bodies and called for greater involvement from men, as well as religious and traditional leaders, in encouraging women to seek appropriate medical care.