February 4th has been set aside as World Cancer Day. It is a day for massive sensitization on cancer disease, treatment options and palliative care, HPV vaccination awareness, and lifestyle moderation. 
 “CANCER KILLS MORE THAN HIV, MALARIA & TURBACULOSIS; EARLY DETECTION & TIMELY TREATMENT SAVE LIVES.
In 2022, the global cancer community commemorated the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helped to attract attention to, and awareness about, the disease. The event also emphasized on, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease with the theme: “CLOSE THE CARE GAP” is for us to recognize that our commitment to act will lead to powerful progress in reducing the global impact of cancer. All the hundreds of activities organized on International Breast Cancer Awareness Month happen in almost every corner of the globe. International Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become one of the most amplified and impactful global platforms for all cancer patients and advocates - a platform where we can all make a lot of noise, by way of reminding all that we can win the war on cancer.
Scientific update has it that Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Cancer scenario in Nigeria reveals that about 500,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, and that it kills over 250,000 people annually in Nigeria. It is further said that Cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (ATM) combined (WHO 2006a, 2006b). However, medical experts have continuously advocated early detection, regular awareness creation, timely screening, vaccination and treatment as major interventions against the disease.
The Civil Society for CANCER Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN), and other key stakeholders in the response to cancer in the Plateau State hereby urges everyone to join this campaign and commit to strengthening CiSCANEN activities for qualitative achievement, in the areas of screening, early detection, treatment and palliative care.
The primary goal of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the menace of preventable suffering from breast cancer.
Globally, there are an estimated 20 million new cases of cancer and 10 million deaths from cancer.  The cancer burden will increase by approximately 60% over the next two decades, further straining health systems, people and communities. The predicted global burden will increase to about 30 million new cancer cases by 2040, with the greatest increases occurring in low and middle-income countries.

On January 17, 2024, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released their Cancer Facts & Figures in their 2024 report, which provides nationwide and state-specific estimates of new cancer cases and deaths for the current year. This year's data includes a sobering milestone--this is the first year the U.S. expects to surpass 2 million new cases of cancer. Researchers attribute this trend to aging and growth in the population as well as a rise in diagnoses of 6 of the 10 most common cancers (breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney and melanoma cancers). 
Another significant finding in the 2024 report is that people are increasingly being diagnosed with cancer in their youthful age. The incidence of colorectal cancer in adults younger than 50 has increased as well as the breast cancer mortality rate for women under age 50. Additionally, racial disparities in cancer cases remain. Although advances in early detection and cancer treatment have decreased death rates, not everyone has benefitted from these advances equally. Barriers are significantly greater in minority communities than in white communities. Disparities are also prevalent in the LGBTQ+ communities. The 2024 report includes a special section which explores the distinct challenges LGBTQ+ people face. 

The good news, however, is that Cancer can be prevented and controlled by implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment and palliative care. The most common modifiable risk factors for cancer, which are shared with many other non-communicable diseases, are Tobacco use, Low fruit and vegetable intake, Harmful use of alcohol, Lack of physical activity, age or race, and obesity. Some preventive measures include exercise (physical activity helps combat obesity and lower the risk of breast cancer), avoidance of  sugary drinks, and reduced consumption of energy-dense foods and processed foods, reduced intake of red meats (such as beef, pork, and lamb) and avoidance of  processed meats,”
 One third to one half of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing the prevalence of known risk factors. Examples of actionable interventions are tobacco control and lifestyles. The most effective primary prevention of breast cancer is based wholly on government approaches, with legislation, regulation and fiscal policies combined with activities to change community and individual behaviour. Public health messages and health promotion should present evidence on specific risk factors.

Despite being a largely preventable and treatable disease, Breast cancer is an important public health problem, affecting mostly young and middle-aged. and socioeconomically deprived women in developing countries. 
To tackle this important determinant of gender and socioeconomic inequalities, In March 2021, the World Health Organization introduced the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, aiming to reduce the burden of breast cancer, the most frequent cancer in women globally and in the American region. 

The initiative aims to reduce global breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year, thus averting an estimated 2.5 million deaths by 2040. In 2020 there were nearly 500,000 new breast cancer cases and over 100,000 breast cancer deaths in the Americas. If successful, nearly 480,000 breast cancer deaths would be averted in the Americas region alone during the 20-year period. Activities for the initiative will focus on three pillars: Health promotion, Timely diagnosis, and Comprehensive treatment including supportive care

The Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN), Plateau State chapter has been able to organize a one-day capacity building workshop, with a total of 224 (122 Male, 102 Female) members on basic facts of cancer and demanded creation on cancer education and 480 (male-390 and female- 90) members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Plateau State Chapter sharing experiences on the medical aspect of cancer treatment and care.
A total of 24,123 (female= 15,264 and male 8,859) people (market men & women, NANTMP members, students, workplaces and the general public) in Plateau have been reached since 2016.

Breast screening and examination has been conducted in secondary schools, tertiary institutions and the workplaces in Plateau State covering 1,034 women out of which 34 of them had lumps and nipple discharge suspected to be cancer cases. 

As we congratulate the Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang for emerging as the Executive Governor of Plateau State, we urge him to help follow up with the University of Jos Cancer Centre which was proposed during the last regime of President Mohammadu Buhari which stands out among his achievements as a dream come true to us at CiSCANEN, Plateau State chapter. This is so because it has come to serve as a boost to our activities in combating cancer on the Plateau. Our only humble request is that you help us support the creation of the “Plateau State Cancer Agency (PSCA)” as a necessary complement to the Cancer Centre as it will better coordinate the activities of the Civil Society Organizations to work in collaboration with the National Cancer Centre and to also enhance the quest/bid for the proposed April 2024 “Plateau State Cancer Trust/Health Fund lunch”.
Lastly, CiCANEN, The Government of Nigeria, through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), successfully launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 16 phase 1 states in October 2023. The introduction saw a successful turnout. Nigeria met its target coverage rate in most states with strong multispectral collaborations across relevant stakeholders such as Faith-based organizations, line ministries, education institutions, parents/guardians, community/traditional leaders, and other priority groups. The HPV vaccine offers significant value in the prevention of cervical cancer and related diseases.
HPV vaccination commenced a multi-age-cohort (MAC) campaign targeting girls aged 9-14 through school and community-based outreach and mobile strategies. After the successful introduction, the vaccine has been routinized and made available for adolescent girls who missed out during the campaign. While Plateau state takes its turn on the HPV vaccine campaign with other 20 states in phase2, Lessons learned from the phase1 introduction from the 16 states show the need to comprehensively engage and collaborate with the plateau key stakeholders at all levels and pre-sensitize communities to inoculate them against myths and misconceptions about the HPV vaccine,  we therefore call on all the key stakeholders (government, religious/traditional/community leaders) to rally round and give their maximum support for a successful exercise which will significantly reduce the incidences of cervical cancer among our young and adolescent girls
In conclusion, Every Action Counts as the World Cancer Day is a truly global event. In order to achieve the objective of reaching as much of the world’s population as possible, your help is needed, whether you do something as large as running your own World Cancer Day campaign, or as simple as sharing our template messages amongst your media networks and organizations, every action has an impact. Show the world that we can win the war on cancer. Get involved in the fight against cancer.

We appreciate that everyone supporting the Day has different needs and priorities, so there are a wide variety of ways to get involved and to also take advantage of the numerous vegetables and fruits we have on the Plateau: cabbage, carrots, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, mangoes etc which serves as diets for cancer patients. As we jointly participate in fighting cancer, it is hoped that the disease will be reduced to the barest minimum. 
Submission on 2024, World Cancer Day with the theme “CLOSE THE CARE GAP” BY:
Tokbish Yohanna Mizak,
Deputy National Coordinator/Plateau State Coordinator,
The Civil Society for CANCER Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN),
Email- tokbishy@gmail.com......... 08036788777,09035334480





2024 WORLD CANCER DAY (WCD) THEME: ““CLOSE THE CARE GAP””
February 4th has been set aside as World Cancer Day. It is a day for massive sensitization on cancer disease, treatment options and palliative care, HPV vaccination awareness, and lifestyle moderation. 
 “CANCER KILLS MORE THAN HIV, MALARIA & TURBACULOSIS; EARLY DETECTION & TIMELY TREATMENT SAVE LIVES.
In 2022, the global cancer community commemorated the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helped to attract attention to, and awareness about, the disease. The event also emphasized on, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease with the theme: “CLOSE THE CARE GAP” is for us to recognize that our commitment to act will lead to powerful progress in reducing the global impact of cancer. All the hundreds of activities organized on International Breast Cancer Awareness Month happen in almost every corner of the globe. International Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become one of the most amplified and impactful global platforms for all cancer patients and advocates - a platform where we can all make a lot of noise, by way of reminding all that we can win the war on cancer.
Scientific update has it that Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Cancer scenario in Nigeria reveals that about 500,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, and that it kills over 250,000 people annually in Nigeria. It is further said that Cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (ATM) combined (WHO 2006a, 2006b). However, medical experts have continuously advocated early detection, regular awareness creation, timely screening, vaccination and treatment as major interventions against the disease.
The Civil Society for CANCER Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN), and other key stakeholders in the response to cancer in the Plateau State hereby urges everyone to join this campaign and commit to strengthening CiSCANEN activities for qualitative achievement, in the areas of screening, early detection, treatment and palliative care.
The primary goal of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the menace of preventable suffering from breast cancer.
Globally, there are an estimated 20 million new cases of cancer and 10 million deaths from cancer.  The cancer burden will increase by approximately 60% over the next two decades, further straining health systems, people and communities. The predicted global burden will increase to about 30 million new cancer cases by 2040, with the greatest increases occurring in low and middle-income countries.
On January 17, 2024, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released their Cancer Facts & Figures in their 2024 report, which provides nationwide and state-specific estimates of new cancer cases and deaths for the current year. This year's data includes a sobering milestone--this is the first year the U.S. expects to surpass 2 million new cases of cancer. Researchers attribute this trend to aging and growth in the population as well as a rise in diagnoses of 6 of the 10 most common cancers (breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney and melanoma cancers). 
Another significant finding in the 2024 report is that people are increasingly being diagnosed with cancer in their youthful age. The incidence of colorectal cancer in adults younger than 50 has increased as well as the breast cancer mortality rate for women under age 50. Additionally, racial disparities in cancer cases remain. Although advances in early detection and cancer treatment have decreased death rates, not everyone has benefitted from these advances equally. Barriers are significantly greater in minority communities than in white communities. Disparities are also prevalent in the LGBTQ+ communities. The 2024 report includes a special section which explores the distinct challenges LGBTQ+ people face. 
The good news, however, is that Cancer can be prevented and controlled by implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment and palliative care. The most common modifiable risk factors for cancer, which are shared with many other non-communicable diseases, are Tobacco use, Low fruit and vegetable intake, Harmful use of alcohol, Lack of physical activity, age or race, and obesity. Some preventive measures include exercise (physical activity helps combat obesity and lower the risk of breast cancer), avoidance of  sugary drinks, and reduced consumption of energy-dense foods and processed foods, reduced intake of red meats (such as beef, pork, and lamb) and avoidance of  processed meats,”
 One third to one half of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing the prevalence of known risk factors. Examples of actionable interventions are tobacco control and lifestyles. The most effective primary prevention of breast cancer is based wholly on government approaches, with legislation, regulation and fiscal policies combined with activities to change community and individual behaviour. Public health messages and health promotion should present evidence on specific risk factors.
Despite being a largely preventable and treatable disease, Breast cancer is an important public health problem, affecting mostly young and middle-aged. and socioeconomically deprived women in developing countries. 
To tackle this important determinant of gender and socioeconomic inequalities, In March 2021, the World Health Organization introduced the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, aiming to reduce the burden of breast cancer, the most frequent cancer in women globally and in the American region. 
The initiative aims to reduce global breast cancer mortality by 2.5% per year, thus averting an estimated 2.5 million deaths by 2040. In 2020 there were nearly 500,000 new breast cancer cases and over 100,000 breast cancer deaths in the Americas. If successful, nearly 480,000 breast cancer deaths would be averted in the Americas region alone during the 20-year period. Activities for the initiative will focus on three pillars: Health promotion, Timely diagnosis, and Comprehensive treatment including supportive care
The Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN), Plateau State chapter has been able to organize a one-day capacity building workshop, with a total of 224 (122 Male, 102 Female) members on basic facts of cancer and demanded creation on cancer education and 480 (male-390 and female- 90) members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Plateau State Chapter sharing experiences on the medical aspect of cancer treatment and care.
A total of 24,123 (female= 15,264 and male 8,859) people (market men & women, NANTMP members, students, workplaces and the general public) in Plateau have been reached since 2016.
Breast screening and examination has been conducted in secondary schools, tertiary institutions and the workplaces in Plateau State covering 1,034 women out of which 34 of them had lumps and nipple discharge suspected to be cancer cases. 
As we congratulate the Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang for emerging as the Executive Governor of Plateau State, we urge him to help follow up with the University of Jos Cancer Centre which was proposed during the last regime of President Mohammadu Buhari which stands out among his achievements as a dream come true to us at CiSCANEN, Plateau State chapter. This is so because it has come to serve as a boost to our activities in combating cancer on the Plateau. Our only humble request is that you help us support the creation of the “Plateau State Cancer Agency (PSCA)” as a necessary complement to the Cancer Centre as it will better coordinate the activities of the Civil Society Organizations to work in collaboration with the National Cancer Centre and to also enhance the quest/bid for the proposed April 2024 “Plateau State Cancer Trust/Health Fund lunch”.
Lastly, CiCANEN, The Government of Nigeria, through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), successfully launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 16 phase 1 states in October 2023. The introduction saw a successful turnout. Nigeria met its target coverage rate in most states with strong multispectral collaborations across relevant stakeholders such as Faith-based organizations, line ministries, education institutions, parents/guardians, community/traditional leaders, and other priority groups. The HPV vaccine offers significant value in the prevention of cervical cancer and related diseases.
HPV vaccination commenced a multi-age-cohort (MAC) campaign targeting girls aged 9-14 through school and community-based outreach and mobile strategies. After the successful introduction, the vaccine has been routinized and made available for adolescent girls who missed out during the campaign. While Plateau state takes its turn on the HPV vaccine campaign with other 20 states in phase2, Lessons learned from the phase1 introduction from the 16 states show the need to comprehensively engage and collaborate with the plateau key stakeholders at all levels and pre-sensitize communities to inoculate them against myths and misconceptions about the HPV vaccine,  we therefore call on all the key stakeholders (government, religious/traditional/community leaders) to rally round and give their maximum support for a successful exercise which will significantly reduce the incidences of cervical cancer among our young and adolescent girls
In conclusion, Every Action Counts as the World Cancer Day is a truly global event. In order to achieve the objective of reaching as much of the world’s population as possible, your help is needed, whether you do something as large as running your own World Cancer Day campaign, or as simple as sharing our template messages amongst your media networks and organizations, every action has an impact. Show the world that we can win the war on cancer. Get involved in the fight against cancer.
We appreciate that everyone supporting the Day has different needs and priorities, so there are a wide variety of ways to get involved and to also take advantage of the numerous vegetables and fruits we have on the Plateau: cabbage, carrots, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, mangoes etc which serves as diets for cancer patients. As we jointly participate in fighting cancer, it is hoped that the disease will be reduced to the barest minimum. 
Submission on 2024, World Cancer Day with the theme “CLOSE THE CARE GAP” BY:
Tokbish Yohanna Mizak,
Deputy National Coordinator/Plateau State Coordinator,
The Civil Society for CANCER Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN),
Email- tokbishy@gmail.com......... 08036788777,09035334480