Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics

A Nigerian born physician-scientist, Dr Olopade’s background and training ranges from clinical oncology to molecular biology and genetics, and therefore she has been able to translate bench research into clinical practice and to use her clinical practice to inform scientific investigations. Dr Olopade has extensive experience in developing, implementing, and managing multidisciplinary and broad-ranging programs in basic and clinical research, clinical care of patients, and education. She has identified a real opportunity for the University of Chicago to partner with the University of Ibadan, the Nigerian Medical Women’s Association and other health care providers to advance research efforts in breast cancer in order to benefit all women and to reverse global disparities in breast cancer care.

The University of Chicago has a notable record of accomplishments in cancer research in general and breast cancer in particular. This research, which began as early as the 1930s, led to the discovery and cloning of both the estrogen and androgen receptors by scientists in the Ben May Institute for Cancer Research. Although available evidence suggests that genetic factors may explain ethnic differences in the biology of breast cancers, our laboratory was the first to describe recurrent BRCA1 mutations in extended African and African-American families because we are one of the very few – perhaps even the only – program to have extended access to these populations. To date, little information is available regarding BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in ethnic groups other than Caucasians of Northern European Ancestry and Ashkenazi Jews. Our long-term goal is to create a global center for breast cancer risk evaluation and prevention research in diverse populations through the implementation of networks within the United States and different countries. The global center would serve as a repository for patient data, image analysis and biological material as well as a resource for providing training in cancer genetics and risk assessment in a culturally sensitive and mediated way. This 1st International Conference on Breast and Cervical Cancer in Nigeria represents an important step towards accomplishing these goals.

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan is the oldest and most prestigious medical school in sub-Saharan Africa, and has been a center of excellence in learning for over five decades. It has a formidable track record for health manpower development, and has played a pivotal role in clinical research in Africa. Ibadan has trained more doctors than any other school in sub-Saharan Africa, and has eminent graduates in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Physiology, Biochemistry and Human Nutrition.

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the first faculties created when the University College Ibadan came into being in 1948. The fundamental problems, which faced the faculty in the early days, were that of maintaining high standard and securing worldwide recognition. The alignment of the medical school in special relation with the University of London helped to attract the recognition of the general medical council of Great Britain. By establishing a special relationship, medical students of the University College, Ibadan were able to take courses in medicine, which lead to the degree of M.B.B.S. of the University of London.

The choice of Ibadan as the University town had the obvious drawback because there was no hospital of high enough standard to be used as a teaching hospital. Pre-medical departments teaching Anatomy and Physiology were housed in the old Yaba Medical School in Lagos until 1950 when the dissection room and laboratories for these were built in Ibadan. These pre-clinical courses were given recognition by the University of London in 1948. The college made plans for a teaching hospital by taking over the administrations of Adeoyo hospital, a hospital run by Ibadan City Council (the so called "native administration") and the government controlled Jericho hospital. The facilities in the two hospitals were not adequate for the clinical training of medical students and the Faculty of the College of Medicine made alternative arrangements for the clinical training of its medical students. In the early years, students were sent overseas until clinical training could start in a new Teaching hospital.

A new 500-bed hospital was planned about four miles from the University College Ibadan. Every effort was made to complete the new hospital and to provide adequate staffing and facilities by 1956. The choice of the site was dictated, by the practical need to make it easily accessible to the people of Ibadan. Clinical teaching commenced on October 7,1957 and the hospital was formally opened by the Royal Princess on November 20 of the same year. The first thirteen medical students, wholly trained in this Medical school, qualified in 1960. Between 1960 and 1966, 246 students of the Ibadan Medical School took the M.B.B.S. degree of the University of London. Since 1967, more than 5,000 graduands have received the degree of M.B.B.S (Ibadan).

Thus up to Ocotober,1997 in the Medical schools in Nigeria and Other Commonwealth countries, one in every two Nigerian doctors today is a graduate of the Ibadan Medical School.

The demand for place in the medical school has been great and the standard of entrance accepted by the University is high. For several sessions running and due to limited facilities, the College has not been able to offer admission to more than a quarter of the available qualified applicant.

THE MEDICAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

The Medical Women's Association of Nigeria is a professional/philanthropic non-sectarian, non-profit making organization, which is made up of all female registered medical and dental practitioners resident in Nigeria. Full membership is open to medical and dental female practitioners qualified and registered with Nigerian Medical and Dental Council.

2. The Lagos State Branch of the Medical Women's Association was introduced to Nigeria by Prof (Mrs.) Olu Oduntan and inaugurated in 1976.

3. Among its foundation members are such distinguished pioneer female medical and dental practitioners of our time such as Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Awoliyi, Chief (Dr.) Irene Thomas, Dr. (Mrs.)Abimbola Silva, Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Braithwaite, Prof Oyin Elebute, Prof Aba Sagoe, Prof Yetunde Olumide and Prof (Mrs) Ibironke Akinsete.

4. The current executive is headed by Dr (Mrs) Olayide Ogunsulire, who is the permanent secretary Lagos State Hospitals Service Commission.

5. Associate membership is limited to female and dental students who are not eligible to vote on association matters. Honorary membership may be granted to any non-medically qualified woman who has rendered to the medical profession such distinguished service as to merit this recognition.

6. Aims and objectives are to foster friendship and understanding amongst us and provide a means of communication between medical women in different parts of the country;

* Promote the interest of medical women in different parts of the country

* Afford opportunities for medical women to meet at stated time to confer and take necessary action in matters relating to the health and well being of the various communities they serve
* Hold discussions for the exchange of idea of problems relating to women and secure co-operation of members of national and internal health.

7. The secretariat/cancer screening center is at 34 Market Street. It is fully staffed with a doctor, nurse, community health worker, administrative officer and a cleaner. Services offered at the center include Pap smear, self breast examination-demonstration, immunization and health talks on relevant pressing issues.

8. The Lagos state branch has organized programmes such as

(i) Reaching the unreached: HIV/AIDS programme for unreached secondary schools in Lagos State.

(ii) Rally for market women at the grassroots on HIV/AIDS.

(iii) Cancer awareness/screening rally for women in EPE.

(iv) Cancer awareness/screening programme at Apapa Local Government.

(v) Cancer awareness / screening programme for market women in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.

(vi) Blood pressure checks, dental checks and eye tests for market women and school children.

(vii) Workshops/ Seminar. The association has organized the following conference/ workshops

(i) Conference Theme:- Total Health of the Nigerian Child

(ii) Annual General Scientific meeting.

(iii) Theme:- Ethics in Medical and Dental practice in a challenging Economy

(iv) Workshop on Gender mainstream in Health. You can visit college of Medicine, University of Ibadan:www.com.ui.edu.ng