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BREAST CANCER
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BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is currently the most common type of cancer worldwide, with 2.26 million cases recorded in 2020 (WHO, 2021). It is also the most common cancer among women both in developed and developing countries, and a major cause for public health concern (WHO, 2021).

While it exists around the globe, developed countries have a higher incidence rate and the incidence rate also varies by ethnicity and race (DeSantis et al., 2013). Breast cancer was also the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide in 2020, with 685,000 deaths attributed to it (WHO, 2021).

In Nigeria, breast cancer cases were historically low but are now increasing as a result of urbanisation and lifestyle changes. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths currently, representing about 23% of all cancer cases and approximately 18% percent of deaths are attributed to it in the country.

October is a significant month to create awareness about breast cancer which is becoming increasingly rampant in our country. There are methods of detecting early breast cancer and lifestyles that can be adopted to reduce the risk of having breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness month was created in 1985 to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide.

Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs — conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers — aimed at supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, educating people about breast cancer risk factors stressing the importance of regular screening and fundraising for breast cancer research.
In our little contribution, through our radio programme, Young & Cerebral joined in creating more awareness about breast cancer. Our Host on Signals Adewunmi Oshodi – Tapa had a conversation on breast cancer with Dr. Laguda Olorunfemi Idris of on Lagos Talks 91.3 FM

Some of the shocking revelations made by Dr. Laguda were that men could also have breast cancer though rare but is more dangerous than in women; women as young as 21 are now being diagnosed with cancer; living healthy is not a guarantee against bread cancer.

Breast cancer can affect anyone, young or old. Every living organism comes from a cell, the basic functional unit of life and from there they divide to form us, if a cell divide more than what is necessary it becomes a tumour. There is benign which grows rapidly and stays at that place, it does not kill; the malignant on the other hand is the one that grows, and multiplies into cancer. Early detection saves life because if fully grown it can only take a miracle.

At stage one, the first symptom is the lump – painful or painless but mobile; then discharge from the nipple – bloody or mucus. You may notice the skin surrounding the nipple looks like an orange or any change in the size or shape of your breast. These are symptoms at the first stage and you need to run to your doctor.

The cause of breast cancer is still poorly understood. Researchers, scientists and doctors are still trying to find a breakthrough. However, there are absolute and relative risk factors.

Age, lifestyles, food, and access to health care are the relative risk factors while smoking, hormonal contraceptive, and genetics are the absolute risk factors.

Men can have breast cancer, though very rare, it is more dangerous and aggressive. Men need to palpate their chest once in a while.

Personal checking can be done after your period and bath, stand in front of the mirror, look at the breast to notice any difference, turn side to side; raise your hands. Breast cancer is invasive, the breast sits on a muscle, so if cancer gets there, it will fix the breast there. When you raise your hand, the breast should move but when you feel something pulling you down, there is a serious cause for concern. Check for contour, or any change. Start from the nipple, massage for pains and even discharge, if you discover anything off, go to the doctor. If you feel pains and swelling in the armpit contact your doctor. Mammogram and breast scan is important because it detects smaller appearances of cancer and it can be treated before it becomes too worrisome.

Dr Laguda showing how to check for breast cancer

Breast cancer does not only affect the patients, it affects everyone around them, that is why physical, financial and psychological support is important. Many of them become anxious, depressed, fretful, they become afraid of the known and unknown.

Many practitioners make the mistake of giving breast cancer awareness only to me. I prefer having seminars with both men and women so that when men are aware they will help their wives do the needful. It is not enough to tell the women to go and get tested, husbands should encourage their wives to run tests, everyone should be involved in the advocacy of getting tested

Though there is no definite cure yet but early detection is key to achieving cure of breast cancer.

Doctors should also go on training in either interventional diagnosis, radiotherapy, oncology; so that if we have more people knowledgeable in this area, more people can be attended to.

Many doctors while attending to breast cancer patients invite clinical psychologists to counsel them while they are doing the chemo, there are psychological side effects such as depression and the likes, the psychotherapy will actually go a long way.

Not all cancer require surgery, surgery is a double-edged sword, the surgeon will determine at whatever stage. They may need to remove the cancer at the early stage and they may decide not to do surgery even at the extreme stage because of the chances of survival; they may also decide to take chances.

Doctors come up with days or months left for a cancer patient to live with not because it is accurate but it is based on the experiences they have had in times past.

Cancer is not the end of the world, not a death sentence, whatever stage you are in, medical practitioners care, whatever recommendation they give may not be convenient but it is for the best. Cancer can be prevented with exercise, good food, good body cream etc Breastfeeding has also been said to prevent cancer, so those who have not yet given birth are at risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding your baby, not the one assisted by the husband.

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