ACCI took its 2010 spring mission Delta State and not to Lagos State. At the last minute, arrangements wto Lagos State fail through. We have learnt from experience to work with 2 locations as we plan any medical program. This time, ACCI working with Amobi Okoye Foundation of Houston, took our cancer medical mission to Delta State. While Amobi Okoye foundation was working with the Delta State sports commission on organizing an atheletic camp for the youths in the the city of Warri which served as the base for our mission this spring. ACCI worked within the community to bring cancer education and free screening to the people. The medical team made up of volunteers from US and Nigeria worked out of Koko Hospital which is about 1 hour from Warri. The hospital had a lot of equpments which had never been used. For the first time, some of the examination rooms were put to use. When we arrived to inspect the site, the theartre was covered in dust. The surgeons in the team went to work to ensure the place was ready for use. Within 24 hours, they were able to perform minor surgeries and biopsies in the theartre.
The first day was spent on public education. Cancers discussed include breast, cervical and prostate cancers. As usual, men were surprised to learn that males do have breast cancer. Dr Odo, one of the local volunteers was very eloquent as he spoke to the audience on prostate cancer. He encouraged all the men to go for routine physical exam annually during which they should be screened for prostate cancer. Dr. Iwuanyanwu, addressing the audience, adviced that the women should save 100 naira a month and on their birthday to give themselves a gift by going for “well woman check-up” which should include clinical breast examination, Pap smear and mammogram available in Sapele and Warri General hospitals. ” That is the best gift you can give yourself”, she said. Breast Self-exam ination was thought and models were passed around so that each person present had a chance to fell an abnormal breast lump. The rest of the day was spent consulting with the people and providing clinical breast exam, Pap smear, and digital rectal exam with occult blood test.
We spent a week there. Each day followed the same pattern. Biopsies and Pap smears were interpreted by the team pathologist who is a local volunteer from Universityof Lagos teaching Hospital, Dr. Banjo. Results where given out the last 2 days of the program. Abnormal cases where referred to the General Hospital Warri or the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. At the end of 5 days, we had screened 524 patients. Minor abnomalities were treated with medications prescribed by physicians in the team and dispensed by our pharmacist, Wole Peters. Our surgeons performed 14 minor surgeries and biopsies. A 27 y/o male whose hydrocele was drained jumped around for joy. He told everybody around that he is so happy and grateful and that he can now walk around again.
During the screening exercise, we found 10 high grade cervical lesions and 30 low grade lesions. We found 5 advanced breast cancer cases. Dr. Iwuanyanwu made a special plea and received help commitment from the commissioner for health Delta State and Governor on behalf of a woman who had advanced breast cancer and needed to go for treatment at the University of Lagaos Teaching hospital.
This mission also took us to Demostration high school Warri were we educated 12 to 17 year olds about breast and cervical cancers. They learnt self breast exam. Cervical cancer was also discussed, including the place of HPV virus in cervical cancer and preventative practices. We also visited the Youth Corp Camp at Isele Ukwu on the invitation of the First Lady of Delta State. This is a camp for college graduate serving their one year of national service. Dr. Iwuanyanwu, the founder of ACCI was able to address 5000 youth corpers on the issue of cancer prevention. She was able to hold their attention for almost 2 hours. The crowd listened attentively as she adressed the barriers of cancer awareness in the country, the importance of routine screening, the risk factors, signs and symptoms of breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers. She educated them on screening guidlines and preventative pracitces. Smoking and cancer along with diet, lack of exercise, cooking style, and cancer were all discussed.
CANCER CARE NEWS WATCH MAY 22, 2008
AFRICAN CANCER CARE NEWS WATCH
