By Ifeizu Joe
A Professor of Surgery (Surgical Oncology) in the Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Stanley Anyanwu has urged women to ensure early presentation in cases of breast cancer, saying it is a sure way to remaining alive.
Anyanwu stated this 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 still in active service. Anyanwu’s presentation is the second time it is taking place in Unizik.
The medical expert spoke on the theme; Silver reflections, golden horizons: One surgeon’s lifesaving legacy in pioneering breast cancer research and care in Nigeria, also enumerated several factors that hinder women from early presentation, insisting that the surest way to keep alive was to present oneself early.
He said: “If you present yourself early, we will treat you because it reduces the risk, but if you present late, there is nothing we can do about it.
“Systemic review of breast cancer identified the following as contributing to late presentation of breast cancer among most African women. They include negative symptoms interpretation, fear of possible consequences of the diagnosis, believe 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.”
Speaking on symptoms of breast cancer, Anyanwu said less than one percent patients presented with ‘screen-detected’ lesions, while breast mass, pain and nipple discharge remained the prevalent symptoms.
He listed other symptoms that can help early detection to include; 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 tem 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.”
