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Breast Cancer in Nigerian Women
“Late presentation” is the deadly, distinctive feature of breast cancer in Nigerian women. More than 70 percent seek treatment so late in disease that there is little, if any, benefit from any kind of treatment. For reasons unknown, Nigerian women also develop breast cancer younger than women in the western world.
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing around the globe – rising faster in developing countries. Surveys of community-dwelling Nigerian women, across a broad spectrum of age, occupation and education, have found extremely low levels of knowledge about breast cancer. Only 32 percent of women knew that a breast lump was a warning sign for breast cancer; 58 percent were unaware of most warning signs. Fewer than 10 percent knew of methods for detecting breast cancer. Only 34.9 percent of women practiced breast self-exam; only 9.1 percent had ever had a breast exam by a health professional. Education and employment in professional jobs significantly influence knowledge about breast cancer.
The actual burden of breast cancer in Nigeria is unknown due to lack of statistics. Healthcare spending competes with spending for basic amenities and infrastructure, as well as control of childhood and parasitic infections. Until circumstances enable mammography screening, health education, through media and woman-friendly organizations, is the most effective method to raise awareness. All appointments with health care providers, even for unrelated concerns, are opportunities to educate and raise awareness about breast health and disease.
[MORE]: Breast Cancer Survivor Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu: Reducing Stigma, Lifting spirits
Overview
A woman’s breast is composed of glandular tissue, connective tissue, fat, blood and lymph vessels. There are about 20 lobes, each with smaller sections called lobules, in which milk is made. Milk flows through ducts to the nipple, which is surrounded by darker-colored skin, the areola. The lymph vessels flow toward bean-shaped lymph nodes, near the breast, under the arm and throughout the body. The lymph system is one of the body’s defenses against disease and infection.
Cancer is a disease in which cells become abnormal and reproduce more cells in an uncontrolled way. The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. They may also invade nearby tissue and spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. The most common types of breast cancer are:
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. A woman should know how her breasts normally look and feel, so that she can tell her doctor about any changes.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
[VIDEO]: How to do a Self Breast Exam
Causes and Risk Factors
It is estimated that only 5-10 percent of breast cancers are linked to genes. Some of the genes have been identified. The two most common genes which are linked to breast cancer also increase the risk of ovarian cancer. What causes breast cancer is unknown, but there are some things known to increase the risk of developing it. It isn’t clear why some people with no risk factors develop breast cancer; other people with several risk factors don’t get cancer. Risk factors include:
Diagnosis
In addition to physical examination, some tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include:
Staging determines the extent of the cancer. The stage is based on: tumor size, spread to nearby tissue, spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Many tests may be used to learn this information. Treatment depends on the stage. Often, the stage is not known until after a woman has surgery to remove the breast cancer.
Treatment
One or more of these treatments are used:
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Prevention
Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer:
Living as a Survivor
[MORE]: Breast Cancer Survivor Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu: Reducing Stigma, Lifting spirits
More information
Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN): www.brecan.org
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