As October ushers in the global observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, renowned scholar, gender advocate, and health champion, Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson, has urged women across Nigeria and the world to take proactive steps toward early detection and preventive health practices.
In an inspiring message released on Monday, Prof. Dada-Lawanson described October as “not just another month, but a powerful reminder of strength, courage, and hope.” She emphasized that the period offers a renewed opportunity to amplify voices for the countless women who have battled, are battling, or may one day face breast cancer.
“As a leader and advocate for women, I am constantly reminded that true leadership goes beyond titles or positions—it lies in how we use our influence to bring light to issues that matter deeply. And this one matters,” she stated.
A Call to Awareness and Action
Highlighting the theme of awareness, Prof. Dada-Lawanson stressed that silence in the face of breast cancer remains dangerous, insisting that awareness, knowledge, and early detection are the real weapons in the fight against the disease.
“Breast cancer continues to affect millions of women worldwide, yet many still shy away from conversations about it. Silence, however, is not strength. Awareness is. Knowledge is. Early detection is,” she affirmed.
She encouraged women to schedule regular screenings, pay attention to their bodies, and motivate one another to adopt preventive health measures. According to her, these small but consistent actions can make the difference between life and loss.
“Today, I encourage every woman reading this to make her health a priority. Schedule that screening. Pay attention to your body. Encourage another woman to do the same,” she urged.
Beyond Awareness: A Commitment to Action
Prof. Dada-Lawanson also underscored that wearing pink—the symbolic color of breast cancer awareness—should represent more than solidarity. She called for it to become a visible sign of commitment to action.
“Let’s wear our pink not just as a colour of solidarity but as a commitment to action—a reminder that every act of awareness, no matter how small, moves us closer to a world where breast cancer is no longer a death sentence,” she said.
Concluding her message, she called on governments, institutions, and advocacy groups to intensify public enlightenment campaigns, invest in accessible screening centers, and support women undergoing treatment.
“Together, we move—for health, for hope, and for possibility,” Prof. Dada-Lawanson concluded, echoing her belief in the transformative power of collective effort.
Context: Breast Cancer in Nigeria
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In Nigeria, it accounts for nearly 30% of all cancer cases and 16% of cancer deaths among women, largely due to late diagnosis and limited access to specialized care.
Health experts continue to emphasize that early detection through self-examination, mammography, and regular check-ups significantly improves survival rates.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, Prof. Dada-Lawanson’s heartfelt message stands as both a tribute to survivors and a rallying cry for action, education, and sustained advocacy.
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