A cancer survivor, Juliet Aguwa, on Wednesday urged women to report any abnormality discovered in their breasts early to stem cancer and its complications.
Aguwa, also Founder of an NGO, Courage to Dare Foundation, Wisconsin, United States of America, told the News Agency of Nigeria said that many cancer cases would have been diagnosed early if people had been proactive in self-examinations and medical visits.
According to her, people needed to periodically check themselves and be aware of changes in their bodies.
She said that any lump, cyst, pain, growth, or colour change should be promptly reported to the medical personnel.
Aguwa said: “Late presentation of patients with cancer at advanced stages is one of the major reasons for the worsening rate of cancer in Nigeria.
“People should form the habit of self-examination, be it of the breast or scrotum.
“Then, regular visits to health facilities are crucial, so that any lump detected can be quickly scrutinised.
“Most times, if detected early, these lumps may not necessarily be malignant.
“They may just be a benign swelling and can be can be removed.
“Then, the patients will carry on normally.”
Also commenting, Dr. Olaleye Adewale, a Gynaecologist at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, said that early diagnosis and prompt treatment would help in the control of cancer.
“We advice women to do regular mammogram once they are above 40 years,” Adewale said.
An online publication, www.cancer.gov says: “Mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast.
“Screening mammogram is used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease.”
Adewale said: “Most cancers start with older age.
“The older you get, the more the likelihood of one getting cancer.
“That is not to say that young ladies also don’t get cancer.
“But, most times, it is with the advancing age.
“So we advocate early diagnosis and prompt treatment as it helps in the control of cancer.”
Adewale said that the first stage of cancer screening was self examination.
He said: “Self examination is just one first step to cancer screening.
“The other step is the mammogram method, which helps you to visualise the breast tissue and has more screening value than any other test.
“A mammogram is just an x-ray of the breast, whereby the breast is placed on a flat surface.
“The breast is pressed between the two surface of the plate and pictures of the breast are taken up, down and sides.
“There are some slight discomfort, but it helps a lot to detect the symptoms faster.”
Trending
- NIPPS Alumni to EFCC Chairman: You’re not alone
- Ebonyi pledges to sustain achievements as USAID BA-N scales back health support
- Confederation Cup: Rivers United host defending champions + All CC, CL fixtures
- Top five shows to binge on GOtv Stream catchUp this Easter holiday
- UTME: Candidates will now be held responsible if parents disrupt exam process – Prof. Oloyede
- FG restates commitment to press freedom, demands responsibility
- I’m not moved by cyberbullying — Alex Iwobi
- ICAN gives support to Senate probe of CBN’s Ways and Means