Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women. Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped created advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment, and a better understanding of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that breast cancer is the most common trusted Source of cancer in women. Every two minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. And about every 13 minutes, a woman dies from the disease.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, in Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people and it represents about 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women. Breast cancer is a major global public health problem in Nigeria accounting for massive morbidity and significant mortality. Factors contributing to breast cancer mortality have been a topic of intense research and discussion in the scientific world.
Breast cancer patient advocacy groups emerged in the 1990s to support and empower women with breast cancer. Women with cancer and oncologists tend to have divergent perspectives on how breast cancer prevention should be defined and what the priorities for research should be. Here is the list of vibrant breast cancer non-governmental organizations or NGOs operating in Nigeria:
Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) is a leading not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation galvanizing action against breast cancer in Nigeria with a mission to eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease in Nigeria through public education. Founded in 1997 by Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor herself, BRECAN is increasingly improving the lives of many touched by breast cancer who would have succumbed to the disease due to ignorance and lack of support. She was inspired by the strength gained from her traumatic experience and the indifference surrounding the disease.
Contact Number : 0703 071 3798 Email : brecan97@yahoo.com
Care. Organization. Public Enlightenment. {C.O.P E.} was founded in 1995. It is a well established, registered not for-profit, Non- Governmental Organization dedicated to reducing the mortality rate of breast cancer through advocacy, treatment, research and education. We must bear in mind that it is the most dangerous disease for women in Nigeria.
Contact Number: +234 701 8000 004 or +234 813 7109 164 Email: info@copebreastcancer.org
Run For a Cure Africa is a powerful nonprofit organization set up with the aim of eradicating Breast Cancer in Africa. They are a group of people directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer who are dedicated to lessening the impact of this disease on the women of their community. They also aim to turn the current 90% breast cancer mortality rate in Africa into a 99% survival rate.
Contact Number: +234 802 287 6660 Email: info@rfcafrica.org
Mama Cancer Foundation Of Nigeria (MCFN)
MCFN is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) located in Kaduna. It is an association of individuals and corporate bodies whose focus is on cancer, its impact, and amelioration. It is a non-profit charitable organization engaged in the control of cancer and its ravages. They are committed to the eradication of cancer by preventing its spread through early and correct diagnosis, treatment and application of current and evidence-based research findings. Their intention is to restore smiles on patients’ faces.
Contact Number : 234-802-3550515, + Email: mamacancerfoundationofnigeria@yahoo.com
Breast Without spot is an Enugu-based breast cancer advocacy group focused on improving access to cancer care and reducing preventable cancer deaths in Nigeria through primary & secondary prevention strategies.
CancerAware is a Lagos-based cancer intervention charity. Our mission is simple, yet bold – to reduce the rising cancer incidence in Nigeria, especially among women, through education, advocacy, and patient support. We focus primarily on breast and gynaecological cancers as they account for high cancer fatalities in Nigeria.
Contact Number: +2348188046560 +2348170073713 Email: talk@canceraware.org.ng
Sebeccly Cancer Care (Sebeccly) is a not-for-profit cancer care and advocacy organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to women living with breast cancer care. Their mandate is geared towards the provision of cancer information services and supportive services to those affected by cancer, with the vision to reduce the cancer burden in Nigeria by advocating for improved conditions of care in our health institutions. Sebeccly was founded in 2006 by Dr. Omolola Salako out of a need to improve cancer services. These services range from prevention to early diagnosis, effective treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive care. Sebeccly works with newly diagnosed patients, survivors, caregivers; patient advocates, journalists, and health care professionals.
Contact Number: 08120733555, 08087111629 Email info@sebecclycancercare.org
International Breast Cancer Organizations
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN) seeks to help those with metastatic or Stage IV breast cancer. They’re dedicated to empowering, educating, and advocating for the community. Their site is full of personal stories and experiences, along with tools. It also provides resources for treatments and clinical trials. You can also learn about living and coping with cancer, upcoming events, and advocacy initiatives.
Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer Now wants to end women dying from breast cancer. The UK’s largest breast cancer research charity is dedicated to funding cutting-edge work. They believe that today’s research can stop breast cancer deaths by 2050. Their site provides information about breast cancer and research, also highlighting ways to get personally involved, such as donating, volunteering, fundraising, and more. Check out their research, guest, and volunteer blogs to get a snapshot of the field and community.
Breast Cancer Action
Breast Cancer Action admits they’re not the typical breast cancer organization. Founded by women with breast cancer, the group advocates for “health justice.” They’re fighting to bring the community unbiased information and to stop overtreatment. They want to ensure public health comes before corporate profit, and to reduce access to cancer-causing toxins. Breast Cancer Action promises to tell the hard truths about breast cancer. For example, the group challenges that money raised for breast cancer isn’t being utilized. Seeking greater accountability, they started the Think Before You Pink project. Visit their site to learn more about the social injustices and inequalities surrounding breast cancer. READ: Does Pressing Breast Cause Sagging?
Young Survival Coalition
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) helps women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. Founded by three women diagnosed before age 35, the organization aims to bring better resources and support to others like them. YSC provides in-depth educational info and advice for living with cancer. It also highlights research and ways to get involved with the cause. The site fosters community, helping you to connect with others both on and offline. They encourage you to be inspired by reading real survivor stories and to share your own.
International Breast Cancer Research Organizations
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
Unlike many other breast cancer charities, the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation almost exclusively funds research exploring the causes of the condition. They also run long-term studies to better understand the physical and emotional impact of breast cancer treatments. Charity Navigator, an objective rating system for charities, estimates that 81.7% of the foundation’s total funds go directly into programs and services.
California Breast Cancer Research Program
The California Breast Cancer Research Program devotes its time to breast cancer research and education. The program’s funding is relatively stable, receiving 45% of its revenue from California’s tobacco tax. This stable revenue allows the organization to establish long-term projects that explore critical breast cancer topics.
Since 1994, the California Breast Cancer Research Program has donated $280 million to research institutions in the state, and 88.1% of the total funds go directly toward research and education programs and services.
National Breast Cancer Coalition
This is one of the largest and most influential breast cancer charities in the U.S. The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) started in 1991. The NBCC’s mission is to figure out how to end breast cancer by 2020. The charity comprises activists, survivors, researchers, lobbyists, and policymakers. The NBCC have over 60,000 members and have successfully advocated for more than $3 billion in federal research funding.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Evelyn H. Lauder started the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1991. According to Charity Navigator, they spend 88.1% of their expenses directly on programs and services.
Their Founder Fund is the largest private project worldwide. It focuses on better understanding the biology behind metastasis, during which cancer spreads to different tissues or organs. SEE: How to Examine Breast For Abnormalities
