By Shinvel Rofina Kesuwo
Breast cancer awareness and sensitization talks are essential events aimed at educating the public, raising funds for research, and promoting early detection and treatment of breast cancer. These awareness walks took place within the University of Jos which served as a powerful platform to share important information, support survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to this disease.
In an interview with Rabo Paul, a 400-level medical student of the University of Jos, who was part of the awareness at the main campus. He gave out some key features commonly associated with breast cancer awareness and sensitization talks which would help prevent this cancer from developing into a critical form.
He briefly highlighted some causes of breast cancer. Breast cancer cells begin inside the milk-producing area of the breast and can be due to the following reasons
He said, “In the late pregnancy stage, women begin to lactate (produce milk) and this process continues into postnatal periods. The production of milk is due to some hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin, which are only released specifically for that purpose”.
“The breast milk produced is meant to be used to breastfeed the newborn; any occurrence or factor which hinders that purpose may put a woman at a risk of developing breast cancer. When the breast milk is not used, it hardens and forms a clump. The clump formed, starts releasing inflammatory chemicals that irritate within the cell”.
“The immune system begins to attack and kill these cells; turning them into dead cells. As time goes on, something happens which causes these dead cells to begin multiplying so rapidly that the immune system can’t read them as “ABNORMAL CELLS”. These dead cells cluster together to form a tumour within the breast”.
He also stated that other causes may be drugs, poorly managed injury to the breast, poorly treated infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.
He went further to talk about the risk factors that predispose one to developing breast cancer. He mentioned that breast cancer occurs mostly in the female gender and only one percent of the male gender. Certain factors may increase the risk of a female developing breast cancer, these include an Increase in age, abortion, multiple sex partners, having sex at an early age, inappropriate use of alcohol, early onset of menstruation, family history of breast cancer, Illicit use of drugs and harmful substances, history of exposure to high radiation especially during pregnancy and other various factors can lead to breast cancer
He talked about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer In most cases of breast cancer, usually, it shows no signs and symptoms in the early stages.
When cancer has grown to an advanced stage, it presents with the following symptoms; changes in size, shape and appearance of the breast. Presence of a lump or thickening within the breast; most times without pain. Changes on the skin of the body; dimpling, redness, rashes, weight loss, yellowing of eyes, paleness, loss of appetite, abnormal fluid dripping from the nipple, change in nipple appearance (most times becomes darker), body pains, headaches and dizziness.
Lastly, he spoke on the prevention of HEALTH SCREENINGS: As it is commonly said “prevention is better than cure”, some breast cancer awareness programs provide on-site health screenings including mammograms, clinical breast examination, and education sessions on self-investigating techniques.
These screenings contribute to the early detection of breast cancer and this greatly improves the treatment success rate. Attending breast cancer awareness programs, adopting a healthy diet plan, frequent exercise, going for breast cancer screening tests regularly (every 3 months), avoiding postmenopausal hormone treatment drugs, a pregnant woman should avoid any exposure to radioactive devices, practicing good personal hygiene, avoiding multiple sexual partners
He concluded by talking about the treatment of breast cancer. Treatment for breast cancer depends on the subtype of cancer and how much it has spread to other parts of the body or around the breast in the late stages. Breast cancer can become ulcerative with visible wounds around the neck, hands, and chest. The treatment of breast cancer is more effective in its early forms and can go as long as eradicating cancer cells at microscopic levels and preventing its chances of resurfacing.
The following treatment plans are available; these treatment plans can be issued in combination by doctors for a stronger effect.
SURGERY: Also called mastectomy; done to remove tissues of the breast affected by the cancer.
RADIATION THERAPY: This involves the use of electromagnetic waves to kill cancerous cells at the microscopic level.
MEDICATION THERAPY: They include; hormonal therapies, chemotherapy, and biological therapy otherwise known as Gene therapy.
Breast cancer is a deadly disease and “fighting against it” is better than “fighting to survive it”. The primary focus remains consistent: increasing awareness, supporting survivors, and ultimately working towards a world without breast cancer.
