Black women risk early strike of breast cancer-Surgeon

Independent hospital studies showing that black women get breast cancer much earlier than white women has impact for early diagnosis and treatment, Dr Oladapo Fafemi, consultant breast surgeon at London’s North Middlesex Hospital has said. “What I see is frightening,” he said of the differences that emerged from studies he did in London. “White women […]

Independent hospital studies showing that black women get breast cancer much earlier than white women has impact for early diagnosis and treatment, Dr Oladapo Fafemi, consultant breast surgeon at London’s North Middlesex Hospital has said.

“What I see is frightening,” he said of the differences that emerged from studies he did in London. “White women get breast cancer between ages 45 and 55, [but] black women get it about 10 to 15 years earlier.”

He said it affects younger black people more than it affects younger white people. “If it is not properly treated, you can see the impact,” said Fafemi, during a free visiting oncology consultation at View Point Hospital, Abuja.

“I think it is probably due to racial differences. The positive side, if you can call it positive, is breast cancer is more common in white women but is more devastating in black women.”

He spoke on the first day of View Point’s breast cancer programme, offering free consultation and screening, using a partnership that involves hospitals in Nigeria and Britain.

The programme hopes to see an average of 20 women over three days every month. Tests and surgeries will be done locally or sent abroad, when necessary, but patients will only go on medical trips only when absolutely necessary and return to be monitored by local doctors.

Breast cancer is among the top conditions Nigerians travel abroad to get surgeries, but Dr Fafemi, who attends Nigerian patients at his London hospital said bringing the services closer to patients would reduce their spending and enhance their recovery.

“It is either one of two things,” said Dr Umoren Akpan, medical officer at View Point. “They come and they are given a clean bill of health and adviser how regularly to screen. Or something may actually be detected and they get the necessary treatment that is needed afterward. It is a win-win situation.”