A Kaduna-based non-governmental organisation, Hassy’s Haven Foundation, has called for urgent and coordinated action to address the growing burden of cancer among indigent women in Nigeria, warning that poverty, stigma, and poor access to healthcare are fuelling preventable deaths.
The Foundation made the call on Wednesday as the world marked World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4 to raise awareness and mobilise global action against cancer.
It lamented that although cancer treatment options exist, many Nigerian women continue to present at advanced stages of the disease due to limited access to early detection services, inadequate information, and the high cost of care.
According to the Foundation, cancer has moved beyond being a distant health concern to a daily reality that is destroying families, draining household incomes, and cutting short the lives of women in their most productive years.
Speaking on the significance of World Cancer Day, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, Hussaina Yakubu, described cancer as both a medical and social justice issue.
“Too many women are dying, not because cancer is untreatable, but because they are poor, unheard, and unsupported. No woman should have to choose between feeding her children and accessing cancer care,” Yakubu said.
She noted that many patients battle the disease in isolation, stressing that emotional support and community understanding are as critical as medical intervention.
Yakubu explained that the Foundation was established in memory of her late twin sister, Hassana ‘Hassylove’ Yakubu, who battled cancer for eight years before her death.
“My sister fought cancer with dignity, strength, and hope. Through Hassy’s Haven Foundation, we have chosen to turn pain into purpose by standing with women who have no voice, no access, and no safety net,” she said.
She stated that the Foundation currently focuses on emotional support, advocacy, sensitisation, and financial assistance for indigent female cancer patients, as well as widows and orphans affected by the disease.
The Foundation called on governments at all levels to prioritise cancer prevention by investing in affordable and widespread screening programmes and strengthening public health education.
It also urged the private sector, health institutions, and development partners to subsidise treatment costs and expand oncology services beyond urban centres to rural and underserved communities.
Yakubu stressed that decentralising cancer care would significantly reduce late diagnoses and improve survival outcomes for women who currently lack access to specialised health facilities.
She further appealed to the public to help break the culture of silence and stigma surrounding cancer, noting that fear and misinformation often discourage women from seeking help early.
“On this World Cancer Day, we are not just wearing ribbons; we are demanding action. Cancer care must be a right, not a privilege. Together, we can reduce preventable deaths and restore hope to thousands of families,” she said.
Also Read: Sanusi: Culture is no excuse for violence against women, child marriage
