HOW TO DEFEAT THE MONSTER CALLED BREAST CANCER by Dayo Ojo

I am a survivor

I AM NOT ALL ABOUT CANCER… I’m a wife A mother An Entrepreneur And God’s beloved

INTRODUCTION The existence of different types of Cancer is a reality we live with these days.

INTRODUCTION Breast Cancer is a Global Challenge. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Diagnosis can be very devastating. Discussion of Breast Cancer and its related issues are not usually easily discussed especially in developing countries. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is no longer a death sentence. In developed countries, death rate is declining due to increased awareness, early detection and prompt treatment. We can DEFEAT this monster!!!!!

STATISTICS Breast and Cervical Cancers are the number one killers of women worldwide. Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women. 1 out of 8 women will have Breast Cancer in their lifetime. On the average, every 2mins, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Around the world, one woman dies of breast cancer every 13mins. 40 Nigerian women die daily from Breast Cancer.

HOW DO WE DEFEAT THIS MONSTER?

WHAT WE FEAR MOST…. Fear of its diagnosis Fear that breast cancer cannot be treated Fear of untimely Death

ACTION STEPS TO DEFEAT THIS MONSTER? Prevention Early detection Prompt Treatment

PREVENTION Eat a low fat/high fiber healthy diet and maintain a good weight. Consume less alcohol. Quit Smoking. Do daily physical exercise. Have an annual mammogram of your breasts from age 40. Be aware of your family breast cancer history. Diet is thought to be partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers. No food or diet can prevent you from getting breast cancer. But some foods can make your body the healthiest it can be, boost your immune system, and help keep your risk for breast cancer as low as possible. Compared to women who don't drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Smoking causes a number of diseases and is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women. Research also has shown that there may be link between very heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Smoking also can increase complications from breast cancer treatment, including: damage to the lungs from radiation therapy difficulty healing after surgery and breast reconstruction higher risk of blood clots when taking hormonal therapy medicines

PREVENTION Do your monthly breast-self examination(BSE). If possible, have your children early(before age 28). Breastfeed your babies. If possible, avoid hormone replacement therapies. Maintain good emotional health. Get enough sleep daily. Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

EARLY DETECTION

EARLY DETECTION If breast cancer is found and treated early, the 5 year survival rate is 98%. Women in their 20s and 30s: Clinical breast examination at least every 3yrs, and then annual examination from age 40. Mammography should be done annually from age 40. After detection, prompt treatment is very key.

EARLY DETECTION Women at increased risk may have earlier initial screening, shorter screening intervals, or additional screening procedures like MRI and ultrasound scan. Teach women in their 20s the benefits and limitations of breast-self examination(BSE).

EARLY DETECTION

PROMPT TREATMENT

PROMPT TREATMENT Stage of the disease determines outcome of treatment. Type of disease determines treatment approach. Rate of cure for a mammogram detected disease is higher than that of a breast-self exam detected one.

EVERYBODY HAS A ROLE There are many sides to breast cancer management. We are here to remind ourselves about our various responsibilities in breast cancer management.

WHO HAS A PART TO PLAY? The Individual The Medical Team Friends And Family The Neighbour Colleagues At Work The Government Breast Cancer Survivors

OUR ROLE-THE INDIVIDUAL Prevention: Lifestyle choices e.g. diet, exercise, habits Early detection: Be breast aware, do your annual mammograms etc. Don’t be in denial. Prompt Treatment: It’s a choice. Remember, early detection and prompt treatment is the key to surviving it. Listen to and obey your doctors.

OUR ROLE-THE MEDICAL TEAM The Doctors and Nurses: Be professional. Breaking the bad news. Show some empathy. Counselling/Reassurance. Genuinely show care. Facial expressions matter. Educating patients about treatment options, treatment plan, possible side effects etc.… What is to be expected at every phase of treatment?

OUR ROLE-THE MEDICAL TEAM Knowledge is Power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. -Kofi Annan

OUR ROLE-THE MEDICAL TEAM The Pathologists and The Lab Scientists: Be professional. Results should be accurate with minimal errors. Be timely in your reports rendition. No undue delays. Reports should be detailed.

OUR ROLE-THE MEDICAL TEAM The Pharmacists: Source for affordable and effective drugs for treatment. Make the drugs readily available. Be willing to educate your patients about the drugs.

OUR ROLE-THE MEDICAL TEAM Other Departments: Front Desk/Records: Be polite and friendly. keep records confidential and safe. Have a smooth retrieval process. Cleaners: Keep the hospital environment clean.

OUR ROLE-FAMILY AND FRIENDS Emotional Support Physical Support Financial Support Spiritual Support Work environment

OUR ROLE-THE GOVERNMENT Availability of affordable healthcare Comfortable Chemotherapy Centers. Provision of Radiation Centers. Expertise: Engagement of more Oncologists. Less bureaucracy in our hospitals.

OUR ROLE: THE SURVIVOR Survivors are hiding Support group meetings

Non Availability of a Mastectomy Boutique Looking good, feeling good Mastectomy Bras Prosthetics Wigs Swim wears

In Conclusion….. Prevention is the best cure. Early detection and prompt treatment is the key to higher chances of survival. Do not be ignorant. Use the knowledge you have acquired today. We all have a role to play. Lets seize every opportunity to make a mark. We can defeat this monster called Breast Cancer!!!!

WE CAN DEFEAT THE MONSTER CALLED BREAST CANCER!!!