The Ochaworth Leadership and Community Development Initiative (OWLACDI) has called on government and development partners to make breast cancer treatment more affordable and accessible to women, warning that high treatment costs continue to pose a major challenge to patients.
The organisation made the call during its Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Social Justice Panel held on Saturday October 10, 2026, as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The walk commenced at Old Airport Junction and proceeded to the Secretariat Under Bridge, where participants carried placards and distributed flyers to sensitise the public on breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
The awareness walk was followed by a social justice panel discussion featuring medical experts, cancer survivors and advocates, with the central message that health is a right and early detection saves lives.
Speaking during the event, the Founder and Executive Director of OWLACDI, Dirmicit Binyir Pyentam, said the initiative sought to combine public awareness with advocacy for equitable access to cancer care.
She explained that the colour pink symbolises breast cancer awareness and was adopted to draw attention to the disease while encouraging women to prioritise their health.
Pentam said this year’s campaign also focused on the social justice implications of breast cancer, particularly the financial burden faced by women seeking treatment.
“Breast cancer treatment is very expensive, and many women cannot afford it. No woman should have to choose between surviving and being able to pay for treatment,” she said.
She urged women to practise breast self-examination and seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes in their breasts.
According to her, the global theme, “Every Story Is Unique. Every Journey Matters,” recognises the individual experiences of cancer patients, survivors and families affected by the disease.
She disclosed that her personal experience of losing her mother to cancer inspired her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for better access to treatment.
The initiative’s sub-theme, “Health Justice for Breast Cancer Awareness,” calls for stronger government intervention, partnerships and affordable treatment options to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent women from accessing life-saving care.
Also speaking, Nurse Alice Matawal, a cancer survivor and Coordinator of the Coalition of Cancer Survivors, Plateau State Branch, commended OWLACDI for its efforts to promote cancer awareness.
Matawal stressed that awareness campaigns should be accompanied by screening, referral and sustained support for people who discover potential health problems during such programmes.
She noted that identifying people who may have cancer without helping them access further medical care could leave vulnerable individuals struggling to obtain diagnosis and treatment.
The cancer survivor urged organisers of awareness campaigns to establish follow-up mechanisms and explore support for people who may require treatment but cannot afford it.
“Cancer is real, and it can kill if not detected early. Please, the general public should come out for screening. Early detection saves lives,” she said.
The President-elect of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Plateau State Branch, Dr. Sekyen Sana, also emphasised the importance of education, early detection and prompt medical intervention.
Sana said lack of information and delayed presentation at health facilities could increase the risks associated with cancer.
She encouraged women to examine their breasts regularly and visit hospitals as soon as they notice unusual changes.
According to her, medical professionals remain available to provide guidance, screening and appropriate care to women concerned about breast cancer.
She called for increased public awareness to ensure that people are equipped with the knowledge needed to protect their health.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peret Brenda Dada, Non-Communicable Disease Programme Manager at the Plateau State Ministry of Health, expressed optimism about efforts to strengthen cancer prevention and management in the state.
Dada attributed the renewed direction to the political commitment of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and the leadership of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Bamlong.
She said the ministry had conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of the state’s cancer management system to identify gaps and areas requiring improvement.
According to her, the assessment has informed the development of a plan expected to be rolled out and launched to improve cancer awareness, prevention and support for patients.
She added that the planned interventions would align with national priorities for cancer control in Nigeria.
The Pink October awareness walk and social justice panel highlighted the need for a comprehensive response to breast cancer, combining public education, early screening, accessible medical services and financial support for patients.
Participants called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and development partners to ensure that women can access timely diagnosis and treatment regardless of their financial circumstances.
