Palliative Care

In Nigeria, over 70% of cancer patients present late stages (III & IV), with few patients having access to the limited treatment facilities, while many in pains.  Everyone diagnosed of cancer whether at early stages or late stages need our care. At every moment of a human on this earth, he or she needs to be loved, cared for and having a lasting humane experience. This is our goal at Project PINK BLUE.

We know that more women are diagnosed of breast cancer at advanced stages because so many people believe that breast cancer is “white people’s disease”. While some strongly believe that breast cancer is a demonic attack and others believe that it is a punishment sent to humanity from the Supreme Being. Consequently, the women diagnosed with breast cancer visit traditional healers and faith-based centres, where they believe that they can get cure. Some of the women gets incision on the affected breasts, brainwashed never to accept that they are battling with cancer; rather, they should rebuke and employ the “not my portion” exclamation. After, the series of visits to different traditional healers, they eventually reverse to the healthcare facility at a very advanced stage where only palliative care can be offered. At this advance stages, the oncological team has confirmed that the only remedy is the end of life care; the entire healthcare for the advanced breast cancer patient will become a terrible and usually the most traumatic condition of all time.

At Project PINK BLUE, we have created a sustainable and culturally friendly platform to improve the lives of people living with advanced breast cancer in various communities, reduce the incidence of advanced breast cancer and contribute to policy dynamism in cancer care in Nigeria.  It is known as Breast Cancer Navigation and Palliative Programme (BCNPP). Forty (42) nurses and breast cancer survivors have been trained to champion this vision.