The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, NNPC Foundation, is set to launch a free cancer screening campaign to address rising cases of cancer in Nigeria.
The campaign, tagged “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening”, will provide, not just free cancer screening to indigent Nigerians, but also health education, workshops, and consultations with healthcare professionals.
This was contained in a press release, on Tuesday, by the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
The free cancer screening campaign is aimed at empowering individuals to recognise early symptoms, adopt preventive health measures and better understand the importance of regular screenings.
The campaign will be organised in collaboration with local health authorities and expert healthcare providers.
It is targeted at reaching about 3,000 individuals across the six geo-political zones with screening centres in Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo and Gombe states.
The initiative will focus on breast, cervical and prostate cancer, offering critical early detection support for at-risk populations.
Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, shedded more light on the objectives of the free cancer screening campaign.
“The fight against cancer requires a collective effort and a commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare.
“This campaign is about more than just screening; it is about saving lives, building awareness and creating pathways to preventive care for Nigerians who need it most.
“In a country of over 200 million people, too many still lack access to the early detection tools that could make a life saving difference.
“NNPC Foundation is dedicated to addressing this critical gap by bringing cancer screenings directly to communities.
“Early detection is crucial to improving survival rates, and this campaign is a vital step towards that goal,” Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe said.
Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges in Nigeria, with over 79,000 cancer-related deaths annually, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The most common cancers affecting Nigerian men include prostate and liver cancer, while women are predominantly impacted by breast and cervical cancers.
“The free cancer screening campaign seeks to counter the trend of late-stage diagnoses, which occur frequently due to limited access to screening facilities, cultural stigmas and insufficient awareness.
“This is sequel to the success of a screening drive in February 2024, where over 200 Abuja residents received free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings.
“These free cancer screening campaigns reflect NNPC Ltd’s broader mission to promote health equity and enhance the well-being of Nigerians across the country through its Foundation,” NNPCL stated in the release.
