The World Well being Organisation, WHO, has warned of a rising most cancers burden. Breast most cancers stays the most typical most cancers amongst ladies in Nigeria, with many myths, cultural perceptions, and structural obstacles hindering early detection and remedy.
On this unique interview with DAILY POST, Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan, Director of Analysis and Innovation on the Nationwide Institute for Most cancers Analysis and Remedy, NICRAT, shares insights. Excerpts:
Breast Most cancers consciousness in Nigeria
She had this to say: “Breast most cancers stays the most typical most cancers amongst ladies in Nigeria, but many myths, cultural perceptions, and structural obstacles hinder early detection and remedy. Misinformation about breast most cancers is widespread in Nigeria, and it typically results in delayed analysis and poor remedy outcomes.
One of the frequent myths embody that ‘breast most cancers is brought on by religious assaults or witchcraft.’ Many consider most cancers is a punishment or an assault from religious forces. This false impression discourages individuals from in search of medical care and as a substitute counting on conventional healers. Breast most cancers is a organic illness, not a religious affliction.
Some additionally erroneously say ‘If I don’t really feel ache, it’s not most cancers.’ Nevertheless, most early-stage breast cancers are painless. Ready for ache earlier than in search of medical assist can result in late-stage analysis.
There are a lot of who consider that ‘breast most cancers means computerized demise.’ This perception stems from the truth that many circumstances in Nigeria are identified at stage 3 or 4, when remedy choices are restricted. Nevertheless, early detection via medical breast exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms considerably improves survival charges.
There’s additionally this mistaken notion that ‘Solely ladies get breast most cancers.’ Whereas a lot much less frequent, males also can develop breast most cancers, and stigma typically prevents them from in search of assist.
In the meantime, to some sure individuals, it’s believed that ‘Squeezing or touching the breast an excessive amount of causes most cancers.’ Nevertheless, there isn’t a scientific proof that breast stimulation causes most cancers.
Addressing these misconceptions via group outreach, media campaigns, and culturally delicate education schemes is essential to enhancing early analysis and remedy outcomes in Nigeria”.
Commonest threat elements for creating breast most cancers
In accordance with the medical professional, “Breast most cancers threat elements embody a mixture of organic, environmental, and way of life influences.
The danger will increase with age, however youthful ladies (30s–40s) are more and more being identified.
Household historical past and genetics can be an element. A robust household historical past of breast most cancers raises the chance, particularly if a mom, sister, or aunt has had the illness, i.e. first diploma relative.
Girls who’ve their first little one after 30 or have by no means given start have a better threat because of extended publicity to estrogen.
Lack of breastfeeding is a threat issue too. Breastfeeding reduces threat by reducing estrogen ranges, however many city ladies are choosing shorter breastfeeding durations.
You then discuss of weight problems and poor food regimen. It’s vital to emphasize right here that prime consumption of processed meals, trans fat, and sugary drinks is a rising drawback in Nigeria, rising most cancers threat.
As well as, alcohol and smoking – as way of life elements, as soon as unusual in Nigerian ladies – have gotten extra prevalent and contributing to elevated circumstances.
One other threat issue is publicity to environmental toxins. Nigeria has poor waste administration and industrial air pollution, resulting in elevated publicity to carcinogenic chemical compounds that may have an effect on breast tissue.
So, understanding these threat elements permits people to make proactive way of life modifications and prioritize common screenings.”
Does breast most cancers have something to do with genetics?
Sure, genetics performs a job, however not all breast cancers are hereditary.
In Nigeria, about 5–10% of breast most cancers circumstances are because of inherited genetic mutations, primarily BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Genetic testing just isn’t broadly accessible or reasonably priced, which means many high-risk people are unaware of their genetic predisposition.
A household historical past of breast most cancers, particularly in a first-degree relative (mom, sister, daughter), will increase threat considerably.
There’s rising proof that African and Nigerian ladies might have distinctive genetic threat elements, which require extra analysis and funding in genomic drugs.
For ladies with a powerful household historical past, early screening (medical breast exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms) from age 30 is suggested. Genetic counseling must be built-in into oncology care in Nigeria to assist high-risk people make knowledgeable choices. At NICRAT, we’re working to grasp the genetic drivers of breast most cancers in Nigerian ladies.
Are there particular way of life modifications or diets that may assist scale back the chance of breast most cancers?
Sure! Whereas no way of life alternative ensures prevention, sure habits can considerably decrease the chance.
Eat a balanced, plant-based food regimen. Enhance greens, fruits, complete grains, legumes, nuts, and meals wealthy in antioxidants. Scale back processed meats, deep-fried meals, and high-sugar diets, which contribute to weight problems and irritation.
Additionally, it’s vital that one maintains a wholesome weight. Weight problems, particularly after menopause, will increase estrogen ranges, elevating breast most cancers threat. Exercising frequently also can assist. A minimum of 150 minutes of reasonable bodily exercise per week lowers hormone-related most cancers dangers.
Along with the above, one ought to restrict alcohol consumption. It’s because even reasonable alcohol consumption will increase breast most cancers threat.
Then once more, ladies ought to breastfeed if doable – extended breastfeeding (>1 yr) lowers threat, and keep away from smoking and publicity to dangerous chemical compounds.
In the meantime, many Nigerian ladies use skin-lightening lotions containing dangerous chemical compounds, which can have long-term carcinogenic results. Due to this fact, investing in well being education schemes to encourage way of life modifications must be prioritized on the nationwide stage.
At what age ought to ladies begin getting common mammograms?
For ladies at common threat: Begin mammograms at age 40, then each 1–2 years.
For top-risk ladies (e.g., household historical past, BRCA mutations, earlier chest radiation): Screening ought to start as early as 30 years, typically with ultrasound and MRI earlier than mammography.
Makes an attempt are being made to supply breast screening applications and combine ultrasound-based detection, which is extra accessible.
Elevating consciousness about medical breast exams and self-breast consciousness stays crucial.
How can members of the family and mates finest assist somebody going via breast most cancers remedy?
Following a analysis of breast most cancers, many ladies are anxious and emotionally unstable. Providing emotional assist, encouragement with out judgment or pity, being current are what issues greater than phrases. Present them with this pillar of assist all via their most cancers journey from analysis to remedy and submit remedy.
Different methods to assist is by helping with hospital visits, cooking, and childcare.
Breast most cancers remedy is pricey, and lots of sufferers wrestle with out-of-pocket prices. Household crowdfunding can assist.
Encourage adherence to remedy. Many sufferers abandon chemotherapy both because of unwanted effects, monetary constraints, or cultural beliefs.
Keep away from dangerous statements – as a substitute of “Be sturdy,” say, “I’m right here for you.” As a substitute of “God will heal you, if in case you have religion,” say, “Let’s discover all remedy choices collectively, and consider God to make sure the remedy works.”
Group and faith-based organizations ought to play an lively position in supporting most cancers sufferers quite than selling different, unproven therapies.
What are some challenges breast most cancers survivors face after remedy, and the way can they be addressed?
Breast most cancers survivors in Nigeria face concern of recurrence. Right here, assist teams and counseling can assist.
Lack of follow-up care – many hospitals don’t have structured survivorship applications.
Additionally, monetary hardship is one other problem as post-treatment bills (hormonal remedy, imaging) stay excessive.
Along with the above, many survivors wrestle to return to work because of stigma.
Whereas, mastectomy and chemotherapy can as effectively have an effect on confidence.
Options to the above challenges embody implementing survivorship care as detailed within the nationwide most cancers program, and promotion of insurance policies defending survivors within the office.
Remaining phrases
Breast most cancers consciousness in Nigeria should transcend annual campaigns. It requires constant schooling, improved screening accessibility, and coverage reforms to make sure early detection and higher survival outcomes. On World Most cancers Day 2025, let’s decide to advocating for reasonably priced screening applications, difficult myths and misinformation, and supporting survivors past remedy.
Collectively, we will remodel the breast most cancers narrative in Nigeria and save extra lives.
Many Nigerians consider breast most cancers brought on by religious assaults, witchcraft – Skilled shares insights
