Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Celebrating the heritage, culture, and contributions of African people worldwide

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Without a doubt, people of African descent are beautiful, bold, brilliant and strong!! On this International Day For People of African Descent, we celebrate the heritage, culture, and contributions of African people worldwide.

It’s also a perfect moment for me to highlight the pressing health challenges faced by African communities. Of relevance to me, is the dreaded disease called cancer.

With many African countries classified as Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the burden of cancer is immense—disproportionately affecting our people due to limited access to early detection, treatment, and care.

In country cancer disparities are also very common in HIC. Black men and women in USA have poorer outcomes for prostate and breast cancer.

Cultural practices play a major part in how persons of African decent respond to cancer. Religion plays a role. In my experience, I find that what is often called religious, is actually a lethal combination of poor education and socio cultural norms. We cannot therefore overlook this when preferring solutions.

There is an urgent need for stronger advocacy, implementation of effective health policies, increased funding, and international collaboration to improve cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Let’s stand together today and every day to fight for a future where all people of African descent have access to the care they need to survive and thrive.”

Source: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

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Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global cancer advocate, a pediatrician, a UICC Board Member, Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and the Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC).

Dr. Bagudu is working with the state ministries of health, education, and women affairs to implement programs to sustainably improve menstrual hygiene, girl-child education, economic empowerment of women, and put an end to gender-based violence. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.