BRECAN cancer symposium

Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi recently chaired the Brecan cancer symposium. She wrote:

Being asked to Chair and deliver the keynote speech at the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria’s (BRECAN) joint 25th anniversary and 4th International Symposium on Breast Cancer a few days ago was one of the high points of this year for me.

Founded in 1997 by Her Excellency, Mrs. Betty Ayanwu-Akeredolu, First Lady of Ondo State, following her breast cancer journey, it is laudable that she stood up to be identified as a survivor in this part of the world that many years ago with the significant stigma that existed and, if one is honest, still remains in Nigeria today. I can only imagine the sheer grit and determination with which she set up BRECAN and congratulate both herself and the team which has now expanded to five states in Nigeria (Ondo, Lagos, Imo, Bayelsa, and FCT) to continue to deliver its four pillars of the campaign: education & awareness, fundraising, advocacy and collaboration for data collection & research.

The two-day symposium in Ibadan included the delivery of scientific papers highlighting the need for data collection and research collaboration to #closethecaregap.

My thanks go to Prof. Adewale Adisa and Dr. Olalekan Olasehinde, both Consultant Surgeons from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH); Dr. Ishak Lawal, Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi; Dr. Abidemi Omonisi, Consultant in Anatomic Pathology, Ekiti State University for an excellent educational session on day 1.

It was also great to meet Dr. Kingsley Ndoh, Founder & Chief Strategist, Hurone AI, and Amb Tolu Taiwo, the incoming president of BRECAN.

I have to confess though that the best part of the event was the energetic dance to demonstrate breast examination by the girls from Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State… simply brilliant!

You can watch the dance here.