Polaris Bank Deepens Cancer Advocacy, Supports Screening for Over 22,000 Women

Polaris Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to cancer awareness, early detection and patient support, disclosing that it has supported breast cancer screening for more than 22,000 women as part of its longstanding community intervention programmes.

The bank also said it had donated three breast cancer screening machines, including a mobile unit, sponsored treatment for more than 30 indigent cancer patients and supported survivors through its collaboration with Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), a non-governmental organisation focused on cancer awareness and support.

The bank restated its commitment to strengthening cancer advocacy during its partnership with WinCancer Foundation to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Its participation in the foundation’s inaugural WinCancer Games, held at the Whitesands School playground in Lagos under the theme, “Awareness to Action”, highlighted the need to translate cancer awareness into practical interventions, including access to screening, prompt medical assessment and sustained support for patients and their families.

Representing Polaris Bank at the event, its Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications, Rasheed Bolarinwa, said the bank’s social responsibility initiatives extended beyond financial services to addressing critical societal challenges and improving the welfare of communities.

“At Polaris Bank, we believe that the true measure of an institution goes beyond financial performance. It is also reflected in the lives we touch, the communities we support and the positive impact we create in society,” Bolarinwa said.

He explained that the bank’s commitment to cancer advocacy and patient assistance predated its current institutional structure, adding that the initiatives remained an integral part of its corporate social responsibility programmes.

According to him, the bank has continued to support interventions that promote early detection, improve access to medical care and provide assistance to people facing the financial and emotional difficulties associated with cancer.

In 2026, Polaris Bank sustained its efforts with initiatives aimed at providing free breast cancer screening for 100 women and prostate cancer screening for 250 men aged 40 and above.

The initiatives are designed to encourage more Nigerians to undergo appropriate medical assessments and improve access to early detection services, particularly among people who might otherwise struggle to afford screening.

Bolarinwa commended WinCancer Foundation for its efforts to raise cancer awareness and support patients, stressing that addressing the disease required sustained collaboration among corporate organisations, healthcare professionals, government institutions, advocacy groups, development partners and local communities.

He noted that a cancer diagnosis often placed considerable emotional, psychological and financial pressure on patients and their families, making it necessary to provide support beyond medical treatment.

According to him, patients and survivors need encouragement, dignity and reliable assistance throughout their cancer journey, particularly when the cost of treatment and related expenses becomes overwhelming.

He said Polaris Bank would continue to build on its history of community-focused interventions through partnerships aimed at improving access to care and supporting vulnerable members of society.

Founded by Olabisi Oladiran, a two-time breast cancer survivor, WinCancer Foundation was established to address challenges confronting people affected by cancer through public education, early detection advocacy and patient support.

Although the foundation initially focused on breast cancer, its activities have expanded to cover ovarian, colon, blood and childhood cancers.

Its interventions include community education, food assistance for patients and their families, care packages containing essential medical supplies and referrals to partner hospitals for testing and further medical assessment.

The foundation’s programmes are designed to address both the medical and practical difficulties associated with cancer, while helping patients and their families access reliable information, timely assessment and supportive communities.

Speaking at the event, a trustee of WinCancer Foundation, Oluwatumininu Adesioye, said the WinCancer Games was conceived to move cancer advocacy beyond public conversations to practical actions that could improve people’s health and support those affected by the disease.

She explained that the theme, “Awareness to Action”, encouraged individuals to seek appropriate medical advice, pay attention to changes in their bodies, discuss early detection with family members and offer assistance to people undergoing treatment.

Adesioye said the foundation was inspired by Oladiran’s personal experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the financial challenges that accompanied her journey.

She noted that the experience motivated the founder to extend assistance to others facing similar difficulties, particularly patients who require support to navigate treatment and its associated costs.

According to her, proceeds from the WinCancer Games, including ticket sales, donations and contributions from participating vendors, would help sustain the foundation’s patient support programmes.

The inaugural event brought together participants through sporting activities, community engagement and fundraising, using the platform to promote cancer education, solidarity and collective responsibility.

Four participating houses represented different cancer advocacy causes, with the Red House focusing on blood cancers, the Blue House representing colon cancer, the Teal House advocating awareness of ovarian cancer and the Gold House representing childhood cancer.

The activities sought to encourage greater understanding of different forms of cancer while demonstrating the importance of collective action in supporting patients, survivors and their families.

Participants were also encouraged to take personal responsibility for their health by seeking medical attention when they noticed unusual changes and consulting qualified healthcare professionals about appropriate screening based on their age, medical history and individual risk factors.

For breast cancer, symptoms such as a new lump, changes in breast size or shape, skin changes or unusual nipple discharge warrant medical evaluation. However, such changes do not necessarily indicate cancer, making professional assessment important for determining their cause.

The bank and the foundation emphasised that effective cancer advocacy must combine public education with access to appropriate screening, timely medical assessment and reliable support for affected individuals.

Bolarinwa reiterated that corporate social responsibility should be a sustained commitment capable of delivering meaningful and lasting benefits rather than a one-off intervention.

“At Polaris Bank, we believe that our greatest legacy is not simply what we have done, but the lives we continue to touch,” he said.

He urged individuals, families and communities to take cancer awareness seriously, seek appropriate medical advice and support people living with the disease.

He also commended cancer survivors for their courage and resilience, healthcare professionals for their dedication to patient care, and advocacy organisations for their continued efforts to improve cancer awareness and support services across Nigeria.

Through its partnership with WinCancer Foundation and its existing screening and patient assistance programmes, Polaris Bank said it remained committed to promoting early detection, expanding access to care and strengthening community support for people affected by cancer.