By Auwal Mohammed,
Gombe (Nigeria) — A Consultant Histopathologist, Dr Yusuf Abdullahi of the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG), in northeast Nigeria, says, the only weapon to prevent breast cancer is self examination, clinical examination and Mammography, emphasising that women must take step in developing the habit of checking their breast for any abnormality.“Once you discover abnormality in your breast, rush to the hospital , most of the cancer cases are painless,” he said.
He was speaking at the training of about 60 Women Journalists on self examination of breast cancer, aimed at detecting the early sign of the disease.
“It is advisable to begin clinical examination at the age of 20 but if you have history of cancer in the family, you can start at 16,” Abdullahi said.
According to him cancer is preventable, calling on women to avail themselves the opportunity, warning that once it manifests itself, there would be no cure.
He explained that 90 per cent of breast lumps are not cancer, saying they could be other infections or problems.
Abdullahi said, women at risk were those who were taken birth control pills at least for five years, those with family history, and those that are obsessed among other factors.
He also advised women to eat natural foods and fruits, and also monitor their weight.
Earlier, Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Woman Journalist (NAWOJ), Gombe State Chapter, Comfort Mukkolo, said, the training was to sensitize members and other women groups on how to detect early sign of breast cancer.
She appealed to women to step down the training to other women who were not part of the training.
Self examination cancer kits were distributed to participants of the training.
