Fight against cervical, breast cancer in Kano

Incidentally, cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented, and if detected early, can be cured. One way that cervical cancer can be detected early is by undergoing a simple test called Pap Smears test. Despite the fact that the cancer can be prevented, it is affecting more women at an alarming rate […]

Incidentally, cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented, and if detected early, can be cured. One way that cervical cancer can be detected early is by undergoing a simple test called Pap Smears test. Despite the fact that the cancer can be prevented, it is affecting more women at an alarming rate in the state.

Apart from cervical cancer, breast cancer is also one of the most prevalent cancers facing women. Like other cancers, breast cancer can be cured if detected early and it is a disease that has killed so many women. It is either because of ignorance or because of indecision on the part of the woman after she is being diagnosed of the disease.

SENSITISING NIGERIANS WOMEN

It is in view of this worrisome condition in the state that the Centre for Community Health and Research Initiative decided to embark on sensitization exercise to draw the attention of all and sundry to this killer disease. Most importantly, the attention of those in authority who are suppose to be more responsible, as far as curtailing the spread of the diseases is concerned, has been drawn.

One step taken was to organise a workshop for journalists in the state with the aim of sensitizing them on the deadly diseases, the role they are expected to play in letting the public know the imperativeness of taking preventive measures against the disease, as well as to pressurize those in authority to have the political will to reduce the fatalities and assist the victims where necessary.   

In a paper he presented on breast cancer, the Executive Director of Community Health and Research Initiative, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba said it was imperative for every woman to be as informed as possible about the signs, symptoms and complications of breast cancer. He noted that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancers plaguing women.

HOW CERVICAL CANCER HURTS THE BUDY

He described breast cancer as a disease that causes the cells inside the breast to grow too rapidly. “Typically, breast cells grow in controlled cycles; this prevents too many cells from forming at any one time. Sometimes, however, these cycles break down, and cell growth become chaotic. As a result, masses of cells begin to form in the breast tissue, developing into cancerous tumours,” he explained.

He further explained that breast cancer usually doesn’t present any symptoms until the later stages of the diseases, saying, “at this point, the cancer has progressed, making treatment and recovery more difficult.” According to him, some common signs of breast cancer include a change in the size of the breast, a change in the texture or colour of the breast, nipple discharge and the presence of a hard lump in the breast or underneath the underarm.

IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION

He stated that breast cancer if detected early could be cured, but where it is allowed to reach the complications stage, it is hard to cure. He added that the self examination of the breast is the effective way of detecting the disease.

He therefore urged women to be examining their breast and as soon as they notice a lump or enlargement of their breast they should rush to the hospital.

Explaining the second most common cancers among women; that is the cervical cancer, a gynaecologist with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr Hauwa Abdullahi said cervical cancer accounts for 74% of gynaecological cancers.

She lamented that it was unfortunate that while the developed countries have succeeded in minimizing the spread of the cervical cancer through strict screening of women, the developed countries are recording increased cases of the disease with many fatalities.

She explained that detecting cervical cancer was possible through the Pap Smears test, saying many women were still ignorant of the test or could not go for it because of the cost. She opined that if government could make the test free, many women would be saved from cervical cancer.

According to her, cervical cancer could be detected early through the Pap smear test, saying if detected early, it could be cured but where it is allowed to reach a complication stage, the cure becomes difficult.

She explained that the signs of the disease include vaginal discharge and bleeding, pelvic pain, constipation, diarrhoea, weight loss, urinary fistula and swelling of the limbs among others.

She therefore called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to bring the disease under control. “There is the need for us to put our heads together and educate our people about the diseases and ways of preventing it, enhance reproductive health education, provide resources necessary to perform and interpret Pap Smears if really we want to reduce the mortality from the disease,” she said.