70,000 Teenage Girls Vaccinated Against Cervical Cancer In Ogun - Pathfinder Int'l

70,000 Teenage Girls Vaccinated Against Cervical Cancer In Ogun - Pathfinder Int'l

A total of 70,000 teenage girls from age-nine have been administered with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), vaccine across the Ogun state in order to prevent them against the Cervical Cancer in the future, Pathfinder International, a Non-Governmental Advocacy group has revealed.

The State Co-ordinator of Pathfinder International, Mr. Udeme Emah made this known to newsmen during a Scientific Symposium jointly organised by Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), Ogun State Branch, Ogun state Ministry of Health, Pathfinder Int'l, Patela Care Foundation, Redwood Specialist Hospital, Jacaranda Cancer Centre, and other NGOs as part of activities marking the 2026 World Cancer Day within the South West region, with the theme; "United By Unique," and Sub-Theme: Advancing Inclusive, Patient-Centred Cancer Care In Nigeria."

The event which held at Telemedicine Hall, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun state, Udeme explained that the teenage girls were vaccinated with HPV vaccine to boost fertility while making them live longer and healthier contrary to erroneous beliefs in some communities that the vaccine was a strategy by government to reduce population by preventing Girl-Child from being pregnanted in future.

The Pathfinder International State Co-ordinator, however dismissed the beliefs while encouraging parents in various communities across the State, to allow their teenage girls to be vaccinated against having Cervical Cancer in future, clarifying that cancer is not an affliction as widely believed by people in some local communities but generic disease.

"In Ogun State here, the Pathfinder International is working closely with the State Primary Health Care Development Board, FAHIO, and other partners to build a strong network of influential voices we call HPV Champions. These Champions are on the ground creating awareness, driving demand, and improving the uptake of HPV vaccines among 9-year-old girls, with the aim of ending cervical cancer—one of the few cancers that can actually be prevented through vaccination.

"While myths and misinformation still exist, our Champions have continued to address them through community outreaches, media engagements, and advocacy visits to key decision-makers"

In his keynote address, a renowned Nigerian Radiation Oncologist, academic, administrator, and palliative care advocate, Professor Adeniyi Abidemi Adenipekun, said cancer is curable and no longer a death sentence if detected early and presented for treatment, urging Nigerians to stop being afraid of cancer and come out for screening. 

He said; "Cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells that kills normal cells and stod them from functioning properly which might lead to death.

"Cancer is no longer a death sentence especially when it is detected early and that is the purpose of the screening, but people are still dying of cancer in Nigeria due to late presentation."

A Professor of Radiation Oncology in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and a Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, noted that abnormal swelling, unprovoked bleeding from any part of the body and unexplained weight loss were among the general symptoms of cancer.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of NCS, Ogun State Branch, Dr. Ololade Kehinde, represented by his vice , Dr. Fatima Adefunke Dauda said that the burden of cancer in Nigeria continues to rise, driven by late presentation, limited access to screening, high cost of treatment, and gaps in public awareness, noting that these challenges requires strong partnerships.

Dr. Kehinde implored all stakeholders-government institutions, teaching hospitals, professional bodies, civil society organizations, the media, and development partners to join hands in advancing early detection, timely treatment and palliative care.

"Let me emphasise that cancer control is not the responsibility of one institution or profession alone. It is a shared duty and together, we can reduce preventable cancer deaths and improve quality of life of those living with cancer," he charged.

Also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker expressed the readiness of government to work with advocacy groups and other stakeholders, saying the present of administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun is committed to the fight against cancer, hence the integration of the cancer screening and treatment in the State Health Insurance Scheme.