By NIYI ODEBODE
Published: Wednesday, 8 Oct 2008
Foluke (her surname withheld) has never gone for breast or cervical cancer screening. She, however, dread the diseases. The woman, who works in a bank on the Victoria Island, Lagos, believes that one of the causes of the diseases is unprotected sexual intercourse. The 45-year-old woman told our correspondent that she frowned at unnecessary fondling or kissing of breasts during intercourse because of the belief that she could develop breast cancer.
Investigations by our correspondent showed that many women had not thought it necessary to ensure regular screening for breast and cervical cancers. The President of the Lagos State branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Efunsola Sowemimo, and the treasurer, Dr. Dumebi Owa, confirmed ignorance of many women about the diseases.
Sowemimo said the association had been holding enlightenment programmes on the ailments in different parts of the state, including Ikoyi, Ebute-Meta and Victoria Island.
According to her, one of the mostly asked questions at such fora is the relationship between fondling or sucking of breasts by men and cancer.
Sowemimo said, ”Some believe massaging or sucking of breast by the opposite sex during intercourse can cause breast cancer.”
For most men, the organ is the first point of call during intercourse. No wonder the question keeps arising at enlightenment programmes on breast cancer, which is more likely to occur after the age of 40.
But the medical doctor faulted the claim that fondling, massaging or sucking of breasts could lead to cancer. ”Maybe they ask the question to discourage their husbands, but it is not true.”
The treasurer of the branch, Dr. Dumebi Owa, who also supported Sowemimo, said, ”In some cases, lumps in breasts are discovered by men when massaging their wives‘ breasts.”
Sowemimo, however, stated that such questions arose because of ignorance. She said the association would hold health talks this month on breast and cervical cancer. She also disclosed that the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Joke Adefulire, sponsored members of the group to a workshop on the ailments.
The president said the association would organise screening for breast and cervical cancers. ”There will also be screening for human papilloma virus,” she stated.
Advising women, Sowemimo said they should do regular breast self-examination by checking for lumps, tickness or other changes.
She said, ”Breast examination include armpit. Use your finger pads and move them in a small circular motion using different amounts of pressure. Look at your breast in front of a mirror to check for any changes in how your breasts look or for dimpling of the skin.”
Sowemimo added that women should also regularly visit their doctors for mammogram. ”Some women because of their family history, genetic tendency or certain other factors may have greater chance of having breast cancer than others.”
According to the experts, risks for breast cancer include a family history, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant and early menstruation.
They called for early detection of breast cancer through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40.
Ninety-six per cent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years.
The experts explained that unlike breast cancer, cervical cancer usually shows no symptoms. A woman usually develops symptoms when the cancer has become invasive and attacks nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding may include bleeding after menopause, bleeding that starts and stops between periods, bleeding that occurs after intercourse or a pelvic exam, or menstrual bleeding that lasts longer and heavier than usual.
According to medical experts, strong risk factors for cervical cancer include infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Women who have sexual intercourse at early age and a history of multiple sex partners are at the risk of the disease. Women who smoke are about twice as likely as nonsmokers to get cervical cancer.
This article was extracted from PUNCH NEWSPAPER Oct 8,2008.
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