Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Strategic approach to cancer control through risk factor management in Nigeria

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu shared a post on LinkedIn:

“This World Cancer Congress Day 2, I had the privilege of participating in several impactful sessions where critical discussions around cancer control, prevention, and healthcare policy transformation took center stage.

I joined prominent leaders in breast cancer care, from Latin America and Europe, such as MAIRA CALEFFI, Kenji López-Cuevas, MPP, Katia de Pinho Campos, PhD, MBA, MHSc, and Harold Cottin to to address system barriers in accessing breast cancer treatment. We discussed challenges related to the risk of recurrence and explored policy solutions to transform healthcare systems for more equitable access to care.

Conflict regions and the humanitarian crisis in areas like Gaza, Ukraine, Syria and Sudan were presented via the lens of cancer patients, who face the dual struggle of navigating illness in a war zone. Speakers such as Princess Dina Mired, Richard Sullivan, Nazik Hammad, Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, MD, PMP and M. Tezer Kutluk MD, PhD, FAAP did justice to their sessions, each highlighting the need for global attention and support.

In the Rapid Fire 12 session, I presented on the strategic approach to cancer control through risk factor management and emphasized the importance of advocating for sugar tax policies in Nigeria as a crucial measure in reducing cancer risks and promoting healthier lifestyles. My presentation aimed to integrate cancer and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention within existing health services while focusing on equity and system strengthening.

Yet another cohesive stage of the WCC is the regional meetings. At the African meeting, I gave my last closing remark as a board member. I used the opportunity to resound the call for LMIC countries to put forward their proposals for WCLS 27. The meeting was a platform to foster greater collaboration and offer valuable peer-to-peer learning amongst patients, advocates, policymakers, medical professionals, researchers, etc. Sonali Johnson, who manages the knowledge, advocacy, and policy team that I chaired for the last 2 years, gave details of the world cancer declaration, urging members to contribute.

These sessions showed the global effort toward addressing cancer disparities and improving patient outcomes, reinforcing the importance of collaborative action in the fight against cancer. I thank the sponsors for giving me the opportunity to also share my perspective. It is only through their desire to see change, goodwill, and corporate social responsibility that organizations like Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the WCC can thrive.”

Source: Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

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.