‘Early detection will reduce cancer deaths’

*Lilly Women’s Health takes screening to doorsteps as Ambode inaugurates digital mobile mammogram
Radiologists have said early detection of breast cancer through clinical screening will enhance treatment outcome because late presentation is the usual cause of patients’ death.

They made the remarks during the inauguration of mobile mammography by Lilly Women’s Health, stating that mammography is the only screening method that has been scientifically proven to prevent breast cancer deaths worldwide.

Mammography is the process of using low-energy to examine the human breast for diagnosis and screening typically through detection of characteristic masses or micro calcifications.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Nigeria do not survive, making the ailment number one killer of women in the country.

Diagnostic Breast Radiologist and Founder, Lilly Women’s Health, Dr. Lilian Ebuoma, described cancer death as a recurring phenomenon that most Nigerians can relate with. She noted that Lilly Women’s Health brings breast screening directly to the doorsteps of women so that they can carry out their screening regardless of their location and busy schedule.

Ebuoma said the Foundation’s mobile mammography coach will provide digital mammograms to thousands of Nigerian women at different locations providing quality health care.

She added: “The mobile breast centre is managed by certified female technologists and expert breast care professionals. It has a receptive registration and waiting area, private dressing rooms, and an examination room for the mammogram.”

Similarly, First Lady, Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode, said the digital Mobile Mammogram Coach, the first of such facility in Nigeria, offers reassurance to winning the war against breast cancer. Ambode who was represented by Dr. Claudiana Sanwo-Olu added that gone are the days when the causes, prevention and treatment of different types of cancer including breast cancer, were shrouded in total mystery.

“Science and technology, continuous research and resilience of the people have played a huge role in demystifying the scourge. We now know the rules. This mobile mammogram coach is a product of coordinated effort, which now brings easy access to regular medical check-up to our doorstep,” she said.

Ambode commended the Foundation and urged women to grab the opportunity to stamp out breast cancer from our society.   Also, Professor of Radiology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Gbadebo Olusegun, said inauguration of the Lilly’s mobile mammography is the best development for cancer management.

He stated that government is trying in the area of cancer care but more needs be done.

“Cancer management in the country is at a low level due to high cost of treatment and drugs. Nigerians should avoid toxic chemicals, power lines, and network masts because of radiation they emit.

“Men are to handle women breast with care because mishandling of the breast can cause traumatic fat necrosis. It is not a handkerchief that you wash, you just hold it and admire it and preserve it, so that next time you are going to see you will see it will be good,” he said.