Shola Adebanjo felt an unusual growth in her left breast while taking a shower and did not dismiss it. Doctors told her that by discovering the pre-cancerous growth early, she had reduced her chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer later in life by 80 per cent.
Adebanjo had the lump removed at the age of 20.Her physicians said if she had waited, instead of removing just the lump, they would have had the whole breast cut off.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. It is also the principal cause of death from cancer among women globally.
According to worldwide cancer statistics, about 1.5 million women were told they had cancer of the breast in 2011. Current statistics suggest that one in eight women would have breast cancer.
Oncologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr. Folake Salako, defines cancer of the breast as the type that develops from breast cells.
Salako says, “Breast cancer usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. A malignant tumour can spread to other parts of the body. A breast cancer that started off in the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma, while one that developed from the ducts is called ductal carcinoma.
Breast cancer is deadly; about 200,000 women die from the disease yearly. Sadly, experts say that one-third of these cancer deaths could be decreased if detected and treated early.
While four out every five women diagnosed with cancer in developed countries like Australia survive, four out of every five women diagnosed with cancer dies in developing countries like Nigeria.
Salako identifies late detection, treatment and lack of awareness of the early symptoms of breast cancer as factors that have increased the number of Nigerian women dying from the disease.
How can cancer of the breast be detected early? Apart from undergoing a medical screening, Head of Radiotherapy and Oncology Unit at LUTH, Prof. Remi Ajekigbe, says every woman should be familiar with her breasts so she can spot changes in them.
Ajekigbe says, “You must know your breast. Check them regularly for unusual changes. It is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to know if there is a problem. If you notice any lump discharge or feel pain in your breast after a personal self breast examination, go for screening. Most of the women we have diagnosed with cancer came because they felt something in their breast.”
Self breast examination is a way one can check the breast for changes such as lumps or thickenings. It can be done in front of a mirror, in the shower and while lying down. For it to be effective, it must be done right. Experts on www.WebMD.com give simple steps you can follow, If you choose to do self-breast exam at home.
In the mirror
- Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. Don’t be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or shape. Most women’s breasts aren’t. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape, or position, or any changes to the skin of the breasts. Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores, or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling, or change in the direction of the nipples.
- Next, place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of your breasts. Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape or contour of your breasts.
- Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts’ outer portions. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see this area.
- Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.
In the shower
Now, it’s time to feel for changes in the breast. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side. Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.
With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.
The breast is said to be one of the essence of being a woman. Don’t wait till you lose it to cancer. Do a breast exam today!
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