(Ekpeno Ukut, MA in International Studies student and organizer of Dead or Alive)

On Friday October 28th, current Master of Arts in International Studies student Ekpeno Ukut organized "Dead or Alive: Surmounting the Challenges of Living with and Managing Breast Cancer in the Post COVID-19 Era." A discussion on the way forward for breast cancer survival in Nigeria to mark the year's breast cancer month that featured Dr. Kelechi Eguzo (a general practitioner of Oncology) and Deaconess Nse Inyang (a breast cancer survivor) as discussants who led the topic at hand. The Non-Profit Organization, Kick Out Cancer Foundation (KOCAF) held this event online for anyone interested to attend.

The discussion at this event covered the issues, challenges and implications around breast cancer in Nigeria.

During the discussion, Dr. Kelechi Eguzo noted that early detection is the surest way of stopping breast cancer death in a society where citizens don't have the finances to begin or sustain the treatment of cancer. He further advised medical practitioners to be careful when treating cancer patients and aim to help them survive instead of compounding their situations.
Deaconess Nse Inyang, a breast cancer survivor for the past 12 years, also advised that women should frequently self examine their breast for early signs of cancer. She noted that breast cancer patients should adhere to treatments given to them by medical practitioners, despite the huge challenge brought upon them by being unable to fund their access to care.

Kick Out Cancer Foundation also remembered and recognized the loss of 17 of their breast cancer fighters within the last 2 years in Nigeria. This was the highest number they've lost since the organization commenced in 2016. The disparity between the rich survivors of breast cancer and the poor continues to widen as the access to life saving care, medication  and even the new diagnoses of breast cancer cases is often unattainable.

The organizers note that the event had a fruitful discussion with the attendance of 38 virtual  participants in total. The eventual feedback provided by the attendees has been positive, encouraging and points to a brighter future of breast cancer diagnoses, treatment, care and survival.

Images from left to right: 2021 Kick Out Cancer Foundation event, a second group photo from the 2021 Kick Out Cancer Foundation event.