The David Omenukor Foundation has launched its 2026 breast and cervical cancer awareness and early detection campaign, providing free mammogram screenings to about 22 underserved women in Mesquite, Texas.
The outreach began on Friday, September 4, in partnership with Methodist Health System. It is aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and removing financial barriers that prevent women from accessing essential healthcare services. The campaign was held ahead of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and featured a road walk, health talks by medical experts, and free clinical screenings.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr. Keyna Omenukor, said the initiative is driven by the need to make healthcare accessible and affordable for women in underserved communities.
According to her, the campaign goes beyond routine screening. Its broader goal is to save lives, increase awareness, and create sustainable pathways to preventive care.
“Our annual free breast and cervical cancer screenings reflect our commitment to provide accessible healthcare for women and to educate the public on the most common cancers affecting women,” Omenukor said.
She disclosed that the Foundation was established in 2015 in memory of her late husband, David Omenukor, who died after battling cancer. She said the personal loss motivated her to help other families avoid the impact of delayed diagnosis.
“This foundation exists to ensure women and families get care. It was created in honour of my late husband. If cancer could affect us, I thought about others going through it. Our focus is to encourage people to get screened early,” she said.
Since 2015, the Foundation has expanded its outreach across Nigeria and internationally. It has screened thousands of people and provided support to individuals facing cancer-related health challenges.
Omenukor noted that cancer is most dangerous when detected late. She identified fear, stigma, financial hardship, and poor awareness as major reasons many women delay seeking medical attention.
“Cancer is aggressive and it thrives on silence and delay. When detected late, the outcome is devastating. But it does not have to be. Screening is our strongest tool because early detection turns a serious threat into a treatable condition,” she said.
Health professionals at the event said the screenings identified several cases of precancerous cervical conditions and breast lumps that require immediate follow-up. They stressed that early discovery creates room for prompt treatment before conditions become more severe.
One beneficiary, who lost medical insurance after her husband’s job loss, said she was able to get a mammogram through a grant from the Foundation. With a family history of breast cancer, she urged other women not to let fear or cost prevent them from regular screening.
Medical experts at the outreach advised women to carry out regular breast self-examinations, attend clinical screenings, and ensure young girls receive the Human Papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. They also called on government and healthcare providers to make screening and treatment more affordable, especially for low-income communities.
Speakers expressed concern about late-stage cancer presentations, linking the trend to stigma and reluctance to discuss symptoms. Omenukor urged women to seek medical care immediately if they notice any unusual changes or lumps.
“This campaign is about saving lives. Cancer does not wait, and neither should we. I encourage every woman to prioritise regular screening and act early,” she said.
The Foundation also highlighted the role of men in cancer prevention, urging them to learn warning signs and support women in their families to get screened. Organisers noted that while breast cancer primarily affects women, men can also develop it and play a key role in encouraging early care.
Looking ahead, Omenukor said the Foundation is working to establish a modern cancer screening and treatment centre in Nigeria, where land has already been acquired. She called for collaboration between government, private sector, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and diaspora groups to expand access to advanced screening equipment.
She suggested that mobile mammography units could help reach women in rural areas with limited access to specialised care.
“We welcome partnerships with government agencies and NGOs. We have a base to start from, and the earlier we begin, the more lives we can save,” she said.
The Foundation added that despite security challenges in some rural areas of Imo State, it continues to provide financial support for treatment and medical bills to ensure patients are not abandoned after diagnosis.
The next phase of the campaign will hold at the Foundation’s headquarters in Owerri, Imo State, where free screenings will be extended to women facing geographical and financial barriers.
Omenukor described the Texas outreach as the start of a wider effort against healthcare inequality.
“What we are doing is just the beginning. Millions of women in marginalised communities still lack access to basic preventive care. Our goal is to build a sustainable system that reaches those most in need. We will not stop until quality cancer care is accessible and affordable for every woman,” she said.