….as Ondo marks awareness month
By Kemi Olatunde
Medical experts in Ondo State have emphasised the importance of early detection and regular screening as crucial measures to reduce deaths from breast cancer among women.
The call was made during a sensitisation health walk organised by the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital to commemorate the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event brought together health practitioners, patients, and advocates to enlighten residents on the dangers of late presentation.
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Ndidi Okunuga, a Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the FUTA Teaching Hospital, described breast cancer as one of the leading causes of death among women, stressing that early detection remains the key to survival.
“Every October, we gather to create awareness among women, men and young people that breast cancer is a common and deadly disease. Early detection is the key. When patients come early, the disease is treatable,” she said.
Dr. Okunuga lamented that over 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ondo State present themselves at stage four, when the disease has already spread to other parts of the body.
She attributed this to ignorance and the preference for alternative treatments, warning that such practices often lead to avoidable fatalities.
The oncologist advised both men and women to undergo regular screening through what she described as the triple test, which includes breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and imaging tests such as mammogram or ultrasound scan.
“Every woman and man should examine their breasts once a month. For menstruating women, it should be done three to five days after their menstrual cycle, while those who no longer menstruate should pick a specific date every month,” she explained.
She recommended that women above 45 years should go for a mammogram once every year or at least once in two years, while younger women should undertake breast ultrasound scans.
Dr. Okunuga further listed symptoms of breast cancer to include breast lumps, abnormal swelling, bloody nipple discharge, skin changes, and swelling in the armpit. She explained that, in advanced cases, the disease could spread to the lungs, bones, or liver, a stage known as metastasis.
Also speaking, Chief Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, Oke-Aro, Akure, Dr. Patricia Eniowo, noted that breast cancer is a preventable and treatable disease if detected early.
“You don’t have to die from breast cancer if it is detected early. We are here to educate women on the risk factors, how to perform breast examinations, and the need to seek medical help immediately after noticing any unusual changes,” she said.
Dr. Eniowo warned that many women still perceive breast cancer as a mysterious disease that cannot be treated in hospitals, stressing that such misconceptions have led to needless loss of lives.
“It often starts with a small, painless lump in the breast or armpit. The earlier you come out, the better your chances of survival,” she stated.
She urged women to know their bodies better, conduct monthly breast checks, and visit hospitals for proper evaluation whenever abnormalities are noticed.
Both medical experts reiterated that breast cancer is not a death sentence if detected early, urging the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat balanced diets, and prioritise regular screening.
“Like I always say, early detection remains the key,” Dr. Okunuga concluded.