Photo: Western Post
Lagos State on Tuesday marked the 2026 World Cancer Day with a high-impact awareness walk and free cancer screening exercise for public servants, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to cancer prevention, early detection, and access to quality care.
The event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health through its Non-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Control programmes.
Activities included a sensitisation walk within the State Government Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, and free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
Leading the walk were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District VI, Dr. Olufemi Omololu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo; and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, alongside partners and other stakeholders.
The walk commenced at the Ministry of Health and moved through several Ministries, Departments and Agencies before ending at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ogunyemi described World Cancer Day as a moment of reflection and celebration, noting that cancer survivors are living proof that early detection saves lives.
She urged residents to commit to annual screening, stressing that prevention and early detection are more effective and less costly than treatment.
She also revealed that the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is strengthening cancer care infrastructure, including plans for a comprehensive oncology centre in Alausa to provide prevention, treatment and post-care services in one location.In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, said the day serves as a reminder of the pain caused by cancer and the need to protect lives through prevention.
He encouraged civil servants to take advantage of the free screening, noting that cancer screening services are available across state health facilities.Also speaking, Mrs. Rianat Onigbanjo of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation said free screening is critical for women and vulnerable groups, adding that early detection protects families and livelihoods.
Dr. Olufemi Omololu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District VI, warned that prostate cancer is increasingly affecting younger men, urging regular check-ups and early screening.
The Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, said the rising cancer burden makes awareness and early action more urgent, reassuring participants that screening services are covered under the state health insurance scheme.
In her closing remarks, the Programme Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Lagos State, Dr. Abosede Wellington, disclosed that cancer cases are rising, particularly among younger people. She encouraged residents to seek medical attention promptly and take advantage of free screening services available in over 60 health facilities across the state.
As part of the activities, free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening will be offered to eligible civil servants at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic on February 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, 2026, while free mammogram screening will run from February 2 to 13, 2026.