UNIZIK Hosts Free Cancer Screening, Draws Massive Turnout and Boosts Early Detection Drive

Nnamdi Azikiwe University has recorded a strong public response following a free cancer screening initiative organised in partnership with Body Without Spots (BWS), underscoring growing awareness around preventive healthcare and early diagnosis.

The outreach, which targeted cervical, breast, and prostate cancers, attracted participants from within and outside the university community. Health stakeholders described the exercise as a strategic intervention designed to close critical gaps in access, affordability, and awareness—factors that continue to drive late-stage cancer diagnoses across Nigeria.

Speaking on the programme, Jane Ezeonu said the initiative aligns with global best practices in preventive medicine and reflects the institution’s commitment to proactive healthcare delivery. She emphasised that early detection remains one of the most effective tools in reducing cancer-related mortality and is consistent with the broader service-driven agenda of Vice-Chancellor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie.

Ezeonu also addressed persistent misconceptions surrounding cancer, noting that the disease is not necessarily fatal if detected early. According to her, the screening process enables early identification of at-risk individuals, who can then be referred for further diagnostic evaluation and timely medical intervention.

Organisers confirmed plans to institutionalise the programme through sustained public sensitisation campaigns, leveraging academic and media platforms within the university, including its Mass Communication department and campus radio, to deepen outreach and behavioural change.

Participants shared first-hand experiences, many describing the screening as their first-ever cancer check. A beneficiary who travelled from Nkpor said the exercise prompted her to seek medical attention for previously ignored symptoms, while others highlighted the financial relief provided by the free service. Staff members and external participants alike described the initiative as both timely and necessary, particularly in a healthcare environment where cost and awareness remain major barriers.

Medical professionals involved in the exercise warned that late presentation remains a critical challenge in cancer management. An oncology nurse at the event noted that many patients only seek care when the disease has advanced, significantly reducing survival chances. She called for sustained awareness efforts to shift public behaviour towards routine screening.

Programme coordinator at Body Without Spots, Tobenna Onyemeh, highlighted the broader public health implications, citing prostate cancer as a major contributor to mortality in Nigeria, with thousands of preventable deaths recorded annually. He said the collaboration was driven by a shared objective to reduce avoidable fatalities and strengthen community health outcomes.

The initiative reinforces the role of institutional partnerships in delivering scalable healthcare interventions and signals a growing shift toward preventive strategies in Nigeria’s public health framework.