Over 300 Women Screened of Breast Cancer in UNIZIK

www.odogwublog.com reports that no fewer than 300 female staff of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State were screened of breast cancer on Wednesday at the institutions’ auditorium by the team of experts.

The women, who attended the public awareness lecture on breast cancer organized by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Women Association (NAUWA) were however enjoined to maintain regular check on their breasts to avoid cancer.

Delivering a lecture on the Causes and prevention of breast Cancer among women, the guest lecturer, Prof. Stanley Anyanwu submitted that breast cancer can be caused by generic factors such as family history, early menarche, late menopause, radiation exposure or individual lifestyle, which he said include: smoking, high fat diet and ultrariolate rays.

Anyanwu, who is also a professor  of surgery (Breast Oncology and Gastroenterology), however noted that cancer symptoms include nipple discharge and inversion, slowly growing mars in the breast and severe pain but urged women of child bearing age to always go for medical check on their breasts.

He assured women that early discovery of breast cancer can be cured adding that “ breast cancer can be cured and the breast retained if dictated early but if it is dictated late, the woman cannot be cured”

Earlier, the convener and Coordinator of the women group, Dr. Gladys Ifesinachi Ahaneku explained that the essence of the women group was to promote friendly relationship among the female staff of the university.

Dr. Ahaneku, who incidentally is the wife of the Vice chancellor of the university regretted that many female staff of the institution has died of breast cancer, which, she said informed the decision of organising the awareness campaign.

Dr. Ahaneku, a consultant Physician and Cardiologist expressed displeasure at the attitude of some women that embarks on self medication, stressing that citizens should consult rather than embark on self medication.

Participants, Prof. Tracy Ofoezeadi, Chigozie Chukwulota and Mrs Ify Obi expressed satisfaction at the programme, saying that the workshop has exposed them to many things about the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer in this 21st century.