Preventing breast cancer. Image credit: Global News
Cancer care experts say that lifestyle changes in Nigeria and other low‑ and middle‑income countries are a major factor behind the rising incidence of breast cancer. Oncologists note that, although these countries historically reported lower rates, recent years have seen an increase in both breast cancer cases and mortality. While about half of breast cancers occur in women with no identifiable risk factors beyond being female and over 40, the surge has been linked to lifestyle shifts. Common risk factors include a family history of the disease, overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, late menopause, never having children, or having a first child after age 30.
The experts stress that breast cancer need not be a death sentence; early and accurate diagnosis, coupled with appropriate treatment, can significantly reduce mortality. In an interview, UK‑based Clinical Oncologist and Clinical Fellow in Proton Beam Therapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Dr. Kenneth Oguejiofor, and Consultant Medical Oncologist at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Dr. Olubukola Ayodele, emphasized the need to address the factors driving the rise in breast cancer, particularly among Black women.
Dr. Oguejiofor explained that the breast cancer situation in Nigeria mirrors that of other regions in terms of causes; the main difference lies in access to diagnosis and treatment. He highlighted that while genetic risk factors are immutable, environmental risks can be modified through smoking cessation, reduced alcohol intake, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Proper breastfeeding may also lower risk. As women live longer, they remain vulnerable to cancer, making early detection crucial. Screening programs using mammograms for age‑selected patients have been shown to reduce mortality, yet Nigeria lacks a national screening and breast self‑examination program.
Given the high cost and manpower requirements of standardized screening, Dr. Oguejiofor recommends a risk‑stratified approach—prioritizing individuals at higher risk before gradually expanding to the broader population. He urges the government to partner with private facilities, especially in urban areas, and to adopt a regional strategy that expands and aggregates cancer treatment services, enabling swift care for those diagnosed through screening.
Dr. Ayodele echoed these concerns, noting that breast cancer has become the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. She observed a global rise in breast cancer incidence, with low‑ and middle‑income countries like Nigeria showing increasing rates and mortality over the past two decades, despite historically lower figures.
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