Faduyile clears misconceptions about Breast Cancer.
By Steve Ovirih.
Prof.Dayo Faduyile, a Professor of Pathology and forensic Medicine has cleared the air about some breast cancer misconceptions which have stuck like a myth over the years on the breast cancer health challenge.
Prof. Faduyile, now Chairman Governing Council, Federal College of Education, FCE, Kotangora, sparing time out of his tight schedule had an exclusive chat with thepolity. net , where he noted that breast cancer is a disease in which the cells in the breast grow out of control. He said the spread can affect any part of the breast including the nipples. While noting that breast cancer is the most common cancer in Nigeria , the Professor of Medicine added that breast cancer is seen in both gender but it is more common in females.
” On the list of those who are at risk of breast cancer are the older people, those with family history of breast cancer, cigarette smokers, people with obesity, alcoholics, people with sedentary lifestyle , those who have over exposure to radiation , and those who take drugs such as oral contraceptives, ” Prof. Faduyile maintained.
Asked about the presence of the cancer and early warning signs, the former NMA President quipped, ” painless lump or mass in the breast or armpit , the dimpling of breast skin, flaky skin of the nipple area or presence of ulcer on the nipple and bloody nipple discharge are symptomatic of breast cancer. ”
While clearing some set of misconceptions on breast cancer, Prof. Faduyile said, ” it must be noted that breast injury cannot cause breast cancer, while underwear such as bra cannot increase the risk of breast cancer.
” All lumps in the breast do not necessarily imply breast cancer so when anyone feels growth of lump in the breast region, it is important to go for proper medical examination ; it is important to note that IVF cannot increase the risk of breast cancer and anyone bandying this misconception should know that there is no knowledge of such in medicine.
“Stress, keeping of cell phone in the bra, though not an encouraged practice, mammogram, breast piercing, sugar consumption … none of them can cause breast cancer. This does not however imply that breast piercing should be a norm even if it is fast becoming a spectacle among the younger generation of females,” Prof. Faduyile indicated .
The former Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Health warned that breast cancer occur to people without family history and it can be seen in all age groups, making it very clear that while breast cancer can be present without lump in people , it is not only a female specific health challenge as men also suffer from breast cancer.
