By Muhammad Amaan
As cancer rates continue to rise across Nigeria, a youth-led organisation, Call Off Cancer Initiative, is stepping up to bridge the gap between awareness and access.
The Call Off Cancer Initiative, founded in 2022 by Radiation Therapist and Public Health Specialist, Ummi Musa Umar, is driving innovative and inclusive efforts to promote early cancer detection, empower communities, and save lives.
A statement issued by the Initiative, said it has launched impactful nationwide campaigns, ranging from cancer screening programs, blood donation drives, and interfaith outreach, to the creation of the Arewa Cancer Control Coalition, the first female and youth-led cancer control coalition in Sub- Saharan Africa.
“Call Off Cancer’s signature ‘Ruga Initiative’ has brought cancer awareness and breast self- examination training to nomadic populations.
“Through strategic partnerships with hospitals, faith-based groups, and the media, including a widely aired BBC Hausa Radio Programme, the organization has reached thousands with critical information on HPV, breast and cervical cancer prevention,” the statement said.
The founder of the Initiative, Ummi Musa Umar has represented Nigerian youth at the World Cancer Congress in Genava, Switzerland, and is currently a contributor to WHO’s global coordination on NCDs, advocating for the inclusion of underserved voices in health policy.
“We believe that no woman, no youth, and no community should be left behind in the fight against cancer,” said Ummi. “We are not just raising awareness—we are building a movement that centers equity, dignity, and access.”
The Call Off Cancer Initiative is supported by the Nigerian Cancer Society, youth networks, and civil society partners, and continues to seek collaborations to expand its grassroots impact across Nigeria and the African continent.
