From Martins Fasusi , Okitipupa.
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The wife of Ondo State Governor and founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs. Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu, has revealed that early detection of cancer is key to minimizing the spread of the deadly disease .
Mrs. Akeredolu stated this in Okitipupa at a lecture put together by the association to sensitize and educate the people of the Southern senatorial district on the need for regular check of their breast so as to reduce the multiplication of the virus.
It will be recalled that Mrs. Akeredolu, a survivor of the deadly disease funded the Non Governmental Organisation in 1997 to fight the scourge through advocacy and sensitization.
The First Lady who was represented at the occasion by Dr. (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Ayemoro, chairperson of BRECAN in the state took her time to explain to the participants the need to engage in regular check up of their breast at least once in a month for early possible signs of the disease.
In her word” it is important for everyone including men to check their breast at least once in a month, and it must be done consistently so as to know if there is a change in the breast”.
” The development of the breast starts from the armpit, so you start by pressing the armpit with your three fingers on the breast you want to examine by raising up the hand above your head in front of a mirror , and you check for any lump till you get to the nipple. You equally check for the texture of the breast to see if there is any rash”.
Dr. Ayemoro said this regular exercise will go long way to reduce the pains and cost associated with the surgical operation if not detected on time.
She affirmed that no evil or spiritual power is responsible for the cause of cancer as it was erroneously believed.
She added that it is safe to visit the clinic than going to worship centres for spiritual help when something strange is noticed in the breast.
In her contributions, Chairman, Okitipupa local government, Mrs. Morenike Alaka expressed her deepest appreciation to the first lady for the lecture which she described as very successful.
She said” Breast Cancer presents itself in different forms and has about four stages which can only be dealt with through early detection. Women alone are not the victims of breast cancer just that women are more vulnerable than men. It is not our prayer to lose any of our relatives in an untimely death “.
One of the participants, Miss. Madu Christiana who spoke with The Hope thanked the governor’s wife for the great privilege to learn quite a lot as regards breast examination which she said will assist her in no little measure.
The occasion was well attended by principals, teachers, students and Heads of various health departments across the southern senatorial district.
