‘Consistent screening and early detection saved me from Breast Cancer’ - Dame Abimbola Fashola

Nigerian women have again been admonished to go for regular breast cancer screening as a means of ensuring they are protected from the menace of the disorder which kills more women than any other type of cancer in the country.

Dame Abimbola Fashola , the First Lady of Lagos State has narrated how she escaped the dreaded breast cancer. 

Speaking at a ceremony to flag off the first round of the Integrated Statewide Wellness Health Week, at Rauf Aregbesola Hospital in Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area , Alimosho, Lagos , western Nigeria , Mrs Fashola said consistent screening and early detection saved her from the killer disease.

In her words: “Early detection made me survive breast cancer. I was able to survive it through early detection and screening. This year alone, I know about six people that have died of breast cancer and it did not warn them. 

“All of them died in the spate of one month. Only God knows what would have happened if I had not detected mine on time” she said. The highlight of the programme was free health screening for diabetes, hypertension, prostate cervix and breast cancers for residents of Alimosho.

Dame Fashola said the importance of the free health programme in all the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas cannot be over-emphasised, given the fact that the diseases which she referred to as silent killers can be treated or managed successfully, if detected early.

“For years, we have witnessed on a regular basis and separate times awareness and screening programmes specifically for hypertension, diabetes, breast cervical and prostate cancers.

“This new initiative tagged ‘Statewide Wellness Health Week,’ is a welcome idea that will integrate into one all screening and awareness of the five diseases for both men and women at the same time, ” she stated.

The Lagos First Lady called on both men and women to take advantage of the unique opportunity the week – long integrated health screening offered. She urged residents to cultivate the habit of visiting primary health centres for their health needs.

“Please be aware that these diseases do not present any noticeable symptoms until at the late stages, then it will be too expensive to treat and manage and could lead to loss of life and bread winners,” she added. 

In his remark at the occasion, the chairman of the council Mr Abiodun Mafe, said the rate at which Nigerians die of non – communicable diseases calls for serious concern. He called

on residents to seize the opportunity of the free health screening to do a thorough medical check- up to know their health status . 

“The event is not fun – fair but a programme aimed at bringing awareness to our people between the ages of 18 years and above about the killer diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cervical and breast cancers.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics shows that 22 percent of the Nigerian population are affected by high blood pressure. It is called silent killer because it does not show sign or symptoms till it might be too late,” he said

The LCDA boss said that the proliferation of fake blood pressure measuring devices in the Nigerian market and brand of noodles people consume had put Nigerians at risk of terminal diseases.

One or two in every 25 Nigerian women are at risk of breast cancer, but higher risks exist for women who are older than 45, older than 30 at birth of their first child, and women with family history,” he added.

Olaleye who gave a demonstration of Breast Self-Examination BSE to check for lumps thickenings and nipple discharge. Medical practitioners were also available to perform clinical breast examination and offer free advisory services.