ShieldHer Initiative Holds Free Breast Cancer Outreach in Ikorodu

By Barakat Lawal

ShieldHer Initiative, in collaboration with Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and St. Cyril Cancer Treatment Foundation, held a free breast cancer outreach in Ikorodu, Lagos, to promote early detection and improve access to breast cancer screening and care.

The outreach, themed “Early Detection Saves Lives,” was the third edition of the initiative and held at the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA Secretariat, Ikorodu on October 24, 2026.

ShieldHer Initiative is a non-governmental organisation focused on breast cancer awareness, early detection support and free medical outreaches for women in underserved communities across Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, the founder of the initiative, Wisdom Udo, said he was often questioned about why a man would organise an outreach focused on breast cancer.

Udo, however, said his commitment stemmed from an understanding of the impact of the disease, noting that breast cancer could affect anyone and that its treatment could cost millions of naira.

He emphasised that breast cancer was not a death sentence if detected early and treated appropriately, reiterating the theme of the outreach, “Early Detection Saves Lives.”

Explaining how the disease could develop, Udo compared an early breast lump to an agbalumo seed, warning that it could grow significantly if left unchecked.

He urged women to pay closer attention to their breast health and conduct regular self-examinations, stressing the importance of early detection in preventing avoidable deaths.

The Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Prince Hammed Olalekan, has pledged follow-up care and necessary treatment for women participating in a free breast cancer outreach organised by ShieldHer Initiative.

The chairman, represented by the Supervisor for Primary Health in the local government, Patricia Oluwatobiloba, said the council provided the venue, halls and other materials required for the outreach, while also mobilising residents to participate.

Oluwatobiloba said the chairman’s commitment to healthcare and humanitarian services informed the council’s immediate response when the organisation approached the health sector with the initiative.

She said the council had continued to support grassroots health initiatives, adding that other local governments should emulate the collaboration.

“Other local governments should learn from us,” she said.

“We are closer to the people at the grassroots, and we should give organisations such as ShieldHer the opportunity to carry out outreaches.”

Oluwatobiloba noted that fear and misinformation about breast cancer often discouraged people from seeking medical attention, adding that community outreaches could help change such perceptions.

She said the women screened during the exercise would receive follow-up care after their results were available, with necessary treatment provided based on medical assessments.

On breast cancer symptoms, Oluwatobiloba explained that not all breast lumps were cancerous.

She, however, advised people to seek medical attention if they noticed lumps, persistent pain or changes in the shape of their breasts or nipples.

Oluwatobiloba added that breast lumps could require different forms of treatment, including medication or surgery, depending on the medical findings.

A nurse at St. Cyril Cancer Treatment Foundation, Yusuf Habeebat, also urged residents to monitor their health by regularly checking their blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight.

She encouraged households to have blood pressure monitors to enable regular checks, stressing the importance of monitoring vital signs.

“Health is wealth,” she said.

Habeebat added that although breast cancer is more common among women, but men could also develop the disease.