Breast Cancer: NGOs Urge Women on Regular Checkups

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As the month of October has been set aside by United Nations to commemorate breast cancer world over, a tripartite of Non- Governmental Organisations, Seabas Cancer Initiative and Marjorie Bash Foundation in partnership with Kick Out Cancer Foundation has urged women across the country, Akwa Ibom State and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area to go for regular breast checkup for early detection and treatment of possible cancer development.

The Executive Director Seabas Cancer Initiative, Deaconess Nse Inyang gave the advice when the Organisations embarked on breast cancer awareness campaign in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area tagged: “PROSA 2021 Breast Cancer Community Sensitisation with the theme: “Restoring Good Health for Women and Educating All About Breast Cancer”.

Speaking to the male and female participants at Ikpa Primary Health Centre, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Deaconess Inyang intimated them that the campaign christined: “Project Save All – (PROSA2021) is focused on intensifying awareness on prevention of possible breast cancer among women and men.

Breast cancer is not a dead sentence – Deaconess Inyang intimated

As a breast cancer survivor, the Executive Director hinted that breast cancer isn’t a dead sentence and advocated for self breast examination by women as early detection is a life saving mechanism.

Executive Director of Seabas Cancer Initiative Deaconess Nse Inyang, addressing the participants on the Breast Cancer
Executive Director of Seabas Cancer Initiative Deaconess Nse Inyang, addressing the participants on Breast Cancer

She admonished the participants against patronising quacks while seeking solution for breast Cancer and recommended  certified health care services for proper healthcare and quick recovery.

Deaconess Inyang also advised husbands and brothers including religious and traditional leaders to encourage their women to go for checkups and treatment instead of poorly managing their condition secretly, which many times have led to preventable deaths of women in most communities in the State, Nation and Worldwide.

Also speaking, Mr. Aniekpono John, Executive Director, Kick Out Cancer Foundation said the Organisations’ visitation was hinged on intensifying awareness on prevention of breast Cancer among women in the State, possible steps to be taken for early detection as well taking preventive measures to avert such occurrence.

Mr. Ekpeno John, Executive Director Kick out Cancer Foundation making a presentation during the campaign
Mr. Ekpeno John, Executive Director Kick out Cancer Foundation making a presentation during the campaign

Mr. John disclosed that breast cancer isn’t a communicable disease and called on families to live in unity devoid of stigmatisation against breast cancer patients.

He said they are creating awareness on the reality of the disease among rural communities and the best way to prevent it instead of using local herbs and other harmful practices.

In her lecture, Dr. Eka Unanam described breast cancer as the abnormal growth of cells in the breast, adding that the root cause of breast cancer is unknown although there are preventive measures to be taken against the disease.

The lecturer stated that what is important is for women to understand their body and changes they are not familiar and comfortable with as they carry out the initial testing of their breast with their arm raised and the other hand used to check the boob for any possible growth within the boob. If discovered, they should not delay in seeing a trained medical officer at the health centres or hospitals closer to them for further diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Eka Unanam presenting a lecture on breast Cancer
Dr. Eka Unanam presenting a lecture on breast Cancer

Dr. Unanam itemised breast cancer risk factors to include: gender, increased age, early menarchy and late menopause, previous chest radiation, induced abortion.

Other factors are:  tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, personal history of breast cancer, diets with high cholesterol and dense breast tissue.

She listed types of cancer as follows; breast Cancer, cervical  cancer, endometrial cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, etc.

Elucidating the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, Dr. Unanam said such persons do experience lump/thickening in the breast, nipple discharge, inversion of the nipple, and sign chances in the breast.

Evangelist Udeme King, Executive Director Marjorie Bash Foundation
Evangelist Udeme King, Executive Director Marjorie Bash Foundation

She pinpointed at the following as the preventive measures against breast cancer, health education and life style; for instance, reducing of fact in the diet, regular exercise, good nutrition with lots of fruits and vegetables, breast self examination, and breastfeeding duration.

She also spoke on cervical cancer which is another type of cancer affecting women. She added that while delayed menopause triggers breast cancer teenage pregnancy promotes cervical cancer.

The lecturer further talked on other types of cancer and listed preventive measures against them.

In her word of advise to the participants, Mrs. Imaobong Ekwere, a professional Nurse charged the participants on maintaining good personal hygiene, exercise frequently, maintain balance diet and drink more water for easy digestion.

Mrs. Esther Usen, Director Primary Healthcare - Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area giving vote of thanks at the Campaign
Mrs. Esther Usen, Director Primary Healthcare – Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area giving vote of thanks at the Campaign

In her vote of thanks, the Director of Primary Healthcare,  Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Mrs. Esther Udoh appreciated the leaders of the Organisations for bringing the Campaign to Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, she encouraged the participants to put to practice knowledge and information gained from the session as well as disseminating same information across the nooks and crannies of the area.

The campaign also featured interactive session where the community people asked cancer and general well being related questions.

The session was moderated by Mrs. Blessing Usen, Supervisor for Health, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area while Dr. Eka Unanam did justice  various questions asked by the participants.
A cross section of participantsIn the same vein, the Participants, Mrs. Enewan Bassey, and Mr. Morris Udofia prayed God to bless the organisers of the campaign and pledged taking advantage of the knowledge impacted on them through the campaign for a healthy living.

The campaign continues on Tuesday 19th October, 2021 in Eket Local Government Area.

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