HEALTH: Examine your breasts, prevent cancer

Breast cancer is the cancer killing women of various ages right now. Interestingly, it is also the cancer with the highest rate of survival. However, for that to happen, it depends on the woman.

Oncologists (cancer care specialists) note that the diagnosis of breast cancer starts with the patient who is observant and takes action when necessary.

Professor of Oncology and Radiation with the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Ifeoma Okoye, notes that a major reason why women who had breast cancer in the past died despite access to treatment is late presentation at the hospital with the disease.

Okoye explains that majority of the cases of breast cancer in the country are often detected at a later stage when treatment and recovery are impossible. She attributes this trend of late detection to poor awareness and education on the part of the women, such that women do not even recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer when it is staring them right in the face.

For instance, survey by a non-governmental association, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, in various communities in Nigeria using several case studies, scored Nigerian women low on their knowledge of breast cancer prevention and awareness efforts.

The 2012 survey revealed that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian women were aware of the symptoms of breast and cervical cancers.

The experts blamed poor incorporation of breast health and screening into maternal health services at all levels of hospital care for the widespread ignorance among Nigerian women.

Okoye says, “There is a need to re-invigorate public’s basic knowledge on breast cancer. They must know that this is a disease that you can prevent and also survive if it is detected early.

“When a woman comes at an advanced stage, survival rate is two per cent. Why? It’s because the cancer has already spread to other vital organs of the body, including the chest, liver and the kidney.

“At this stage, the only treatment we can give is palliative, aimed at reducing the pain, relieving the symptoms and prolonging life. It is not curative.

“If we detect the lump or tumour 10 years before it becomes cancerous and take it out through surgery, the patient would have helped us to prevent a maternal death; to keep a family from falling apart because the survival of a child and a family depends most times on the woman.”

Losing one’s breast to cancer is a traumatic experience for any woman. No doubt, the breasts are the true essence of a woman, they give her form; and any woman should do everything to keep them healthy and in good shape by preventing breast cancer.

Doctors note that when cancerous cells are detected late, the woman may lose her breasts, hence the need to screen for breast cancer as at when due.

Okoye explains that tumours can be removed with minimal invasive surgery or through the laser technique when caught earlier, such that the breasts will still remain intact after treatment.

The oncologist recommends that women of all ages should examine their breasts every month and report unusual changes to a doctor for medical examination.

She states, “It is important for every woman to perform self breast examination on herself every month. If you notice anything that is odd, especially a lump that hurts while you are doing it, you need to see the doctor.

“If it is painless, you should also see the doctor. There are painless lumps that are also cancerous. Early detection starts in your youth. Breast cancer is no longer a disease of the old; we have seen young women with breast cancer before, that is why every mother should teach their female children how to do it and also educate her that if she sees any changes, she should tell you, so it can be examined.”

Okoye adds that eating healthy foods and avoiding a diet that could predispose one to cancer is another preventive strategy, “Cancer is preventable if we are mindful of what we eat.”

Speaking further on diets, nutritionist, Mr. Paul Nnanna, says that one can reduce one’s risk for breast cancer and other forms of cancer by adopting a good diet.

Nnanna notes that the quantity of water one consumes could either predispose or reduce one’s risk for cancer. According to Nnanna, poor water intake causes the body cells to lose 56 per cent of water and increases the accumulation of waste which cannot be passed out since there is no water in the body.

He states that a situation where acidic wastes are not excreted from the body is likely to encourage the growth of cancer tumours in the body.

Nnanna adds, “Acid is responsible for 80 per cent of diseases such as cancer; and drinking enough water will prevent accumulation of waste in the body. Water should be taken adequately in order to build the immune system to become resistant to cancer.

“A diet free of sugary drinks, processed foods such as biscuits and pastries, white sugar, white flour, white rice and white salt would help reduce chances of getting the diseases.

“Eat food as naturally as possible, drink lots of water and avoid stripping nutrients contained in food by overcooking them.”