In this Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Tracker, we shed light on an important issue that affects women and families across Nigeria: the fight against breast cancer.
Beyond being a health concern, breast cancer represents a deeper story about access, awareness, and equity. Too many women still face late diagnoses, high treatment costs, and limited access to care, especially in rural and low-income communities.
In a motion of national importance, Rep. Blessing Amadi (PDP, Rivers) called on the House of Representatives to recognise the month of October as breast cancer awareness month across Nigeria.
The move aims to reaffirm the country’s commitment to cancer prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care.
The motion highlighted the urgent need to tackle the growing burden of cancer, particularly breast cancer, which remains the most common among Nigerian women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Breast Cancer: Why This Matters
Breast cancer is not only a health issue: it is a gender and equity issue. Women, especially those in rural and low-income communities, often face multiple barriers to screening and treatment, from high costs and limited healthcare facilities to stigma and lack of information.
By declaring October as breast cancer awareness month, the motion aims to mobilize national attention and resources toward a more inclusive, gender-responsive health system that saves lives and empowers women.
Key Figures on Breast Cancer
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 670,000 women died from breast cancer globally in 2022. The report also noted that in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of deaths from breast cancer in the same period was estimated at 71,662. In Nigeria and within same period, it was about 32,278 new cases of breast cancer and about 16,332 deaths, representing roughly 20.5 percent of all cancer deaths among women.
These figures underscore the reality: breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and the burden is especially heavy in low-resource contexts.
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Key Resolutions from the Motion
After a debate, the House resolved to:
- Launch a nationwide awareness campaign, encouraging year-round education on breast cancer prevention, symptoms, and screening, including communication in local dialects.
- Integrate cancer education into schools and communities, ensuring young people and families receive accurate information through both traditional and social media.
- Establish cancer and cardiovascular centres, urging federal and state governments, in partnership with the private sector, to build standard diagnostic and treatment centers across all six geopolitical zones.
- Strengthen parliamentary oversight, directing the House Committees on Health and Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and report progress within four weeks.
GESI Significance
This motion advances the goals of GESI by:
- Addressing a gendered health challenge that disproportionately affects women.
- Promoting inclusive access to healthcare services regardless of income, language, or location.
- Encouraging multi-sectoral collaboration that ensures no one is left behind.
- Embedding accountability through sustained legislative oversight.
A Step Toward Health Equity
Through this motion, Rep. Amadi underscores that women’s health is central to national development. Recognizing October as breast cancer awareness month is more than a symbolic act; it is a practical step toward building awareness, reducing preventable deaths, and strengthening Nigeria’s health systems in line with global standards.
This initiative reinforces the parliament’s commitment to inclusive governance, where gender equality and social equity are integral to policymaking and national well-being.
