Women have been advised not to pay heed to societal stigma and other issues that will deter them from early presentation in cases of breast cancer, as it is their only chance to stay alive.
A Professor of Surgery (Surgical Oncology) in the Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Stanley Anyanwu gave the advice during the Second Jubilee Academic Lecture (JAL) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Thursday.
JAL is an academic lecture presented by academics who have been professors for over 25 years and are still in active service.
Anyanwu’s presentation is the second edition of the lecture series in the University.
Discussing the theme, “Silver reflections, golden horizons: One surgeon’s lifesaving legacy in pioneering breast cancer research and care in Nigeria,” Prof Anyanwu also enumerated several factors that hinder women from early presentation, insisting that the surest way to keep alive was to present oneself early.
According to him, when cases are presented early, they are treated and risks are reduced, but when they present late, there is nothing anyone can do.
“Systemic review of breast cancer identified the following as contributing to late presentation of breast cancer among most African women. They include negative symptom interpretation, fear of the possible consequences of the diagnosis, and belief in alternative and complementary medicine.
“Others are social relations and network, lack of trust and confidence in orthodox medicine and access to healthcare which may be physical or economic. To this, we must add belief in spirituality and spiritual linkage to disease, poverty and illiteracy on the part of the patients, as well as deceit or patients by quacks and missed diagnosis by some doctors is also contributory,” he said.
Speaking on symptoms of breast cancer, Anyanwu said less than one percent of patients presented with ‘screen-detected’ lesions, while breast mass, pain and nipple discharge remained the prevalent symptoms.
He listed other symptoms that may aid early detection, including cough, dyspnea, backache, weight loss, chest pain, and jaundice.
Making recommendations about how breast cancer can be holistically tackled, Anyanwu said: “Government must invest in strengthening the health system in Nigeria, clinicians must embrace innovation and team work, young surgeons should also choose compassion as boldly as they choose science, while society should break the silence around breast cancer.
“Finally, I must say that research and continuous research can help overcome the problem of breast cancer.”
