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FACTS ON BREAST CANCER IN NIGERIA
 There is increasing evidence
that breast cancer is on the rise in Nigeria. Available data from Ibadan Cancer
Registry indicate that breast cancer accounted for 6% of the commonest cancers
recorded during 1960-1980 period and rose to 14.8% between 1980 and 1985. Within
the cancers of the female, breast cancer maintained the trend rising from 11.2%
to 25.7% during 1960-1980 and 1980-1985 periods respectively. A recent study by
doctors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan as reported by The Punch of
November 7, 2002 gave credence to the emerging trend revealing that 116 out of
100,000 Nigerian women have breast cancer. Based on this finding, 34,800 new
cases would be expected in 2003 an increase from 27,840 or 25% in 1999. There
are also findings indicating that the peak age incidence is 36 to 45 with a
smaller secondary peak at 56 to 65. The mean age of 48 years at presentation is
in marked contrast to reports of Caucasian patients in whom the peak age
incidence is almost two decades later. Breast cancer is affecting us younger and
younger and it carries in its wake grave socioeconomic consequences.
Like other developing
countries, breast cancer has not been given the attention it deserves. The lack
of data base has impeded the determination of the actual incidence of the
disease in Nigeria. While hope is not completely lost as few hospital-based
studies may shade light on the emerging trend, they may not reflect the true
position within the population since a great number of victims seek avenues for
treatment other than the hospitals. The reason for this poor health seeking
attitude is not far-fetched. Ignorance and poverty have been identified as the
contributing factors.
In Nigeria today, hardly a
week passes without one hearing of a death caused by breast cancer. Yet our
government has not placed breast cancer on its priority list of health issues.
Government failure in formulating a national policy to arrest the increasing
number of untimely deaths of our women due breast cancer is to say the least
most fatal and unrealistic. In fact, the government is not the only culprit. The
general indifference surrounding the disease is scandalous. This is a disease
that kills thousands of Nigerian women in their prime each year and equally
affecting millions of others, yet no sign of institutional support of any kind
to tame the scourge. Anybody who has battled breast cancer or knows someone else
who has, will understand the strength and courage it takes to overcome the
disease. Nigerian patients are basically on their own with the burden of care
resting largely on relatives.
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