A Kaduna-based 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 care are driving preventable deaths across the country.
The Foundation made the call on Wednesday as the world marked World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, to raise awareness and mobilise action against cancer globally.
It lamented that while cancer treatment options exist, many Nigerian women continue to present at advanced stages of the disease due to lack of 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 who should be in their most productive years.
Speaking on the significance of the day, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hassy’s Haven Foundation, Hussaina Yakubu, described cancer as not only a medical challenge but also a 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 added that many patients are forced to battle the disease in isolation, noting that emotional support and community understanding remain 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 courageously 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 widespread and affordable 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 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.
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