line with the national directives of the NAOWA President, Mrs Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, the Zonal Coordinator of NAOWA 1 Brigade, Hajiya Rahmat Mustapha, organized a sensitization workshop on Breast Cancer Awareness for barracks women of 1 Brigade.
The awareness lecture was held on 7 February 2026 at the 1 Brigade Garrison Soldiers’ Club, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Gusau, Zamfara State.
In her opening remarks, Mrs Isah Imam representing the Zonal Coordinator, expressed her appreciation to the women for their impressive turnout.
She noted that the workshop aimed to empower participants with the knowledge to recognize early warning signs, understand risk factors, and appreciate the critical importance of prompt medical consultation.
The lead lecture was delivered by Dr. Judith Dike, a seasoned medical practitioner from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gusau.
In her presentation, Dr Dike dismantled common misconceptions about the disease, positioning awareness as the first line of defense against the breast cancer scourge.
She provided a technical yet accessible breakdown of risk factors, noting that while the causes are multifaceted, early detection through regular self-examinations and clinical screenings significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and long-term survival. “Breast cancer is not a death sentence,” she told the gathered women, “but it becomes a silent killer when ignored or discovered too late.”
The event concluded with interactive session, where participants actively engaged the guest lecturer. The women sought clarification on Distinguishing between genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors,
Practical steps for general health maintenance and immune support and How to identify “painless lumps” and other subtle changes in breast tissue.
Closing the session, Dr. Dike urged the participants to internalize the lessons learned and become health ambassadors within their own homes and the wider barracks community.
She issued a final, stirring caution, reminding the audience to never take their health for granted, as the wellbeing of the family unit rests heavily on the health of the mother.
