In the bid to ensure that members are kept abreast of recent developments in the breast cancer space especially in the face of the novel covid-19 pandemic, BRECAN organized a day workshop for members  aimed at furnishing them with the necessary information.

The event which took place at BRECAN Centre in Ibadan on Saturday, 2oth of June, 2020  had BRECAN members in attendance and a few members of the public.  Three topics (sessions) were  were handled by the different facilitators. Breast Cancer; Manifestations, Managements and Challenges was handed by Dr. Mutiu Jimoh of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. The Fight Against Cancer; The Role of Diet Therapy was handled by Miss Ibukun Oyinloye  a registered Nutrionist from the Faculty of Public Health, UCH, Ibadan. The last topic  was on, Exploring Behavioural  Change Communication in Breast Health Awareness Campaign  s handled by Mr. Promise Ihezie, the Chief Operating Officer of BRECAN Oyo state.

The Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria has lent her support to the fight against the rising spate of rape and gender based violence in Nigeria by participating in a Walk Against Rape exercise in Ibadan the Oyo state capital.

The walk which which took place on Tuesday 9th of June, 2020 was organized by concerned NGOs, CSOs and several Youth Organizations became necessary to drive home the messsage that rape is evil and, that government at all levels must take the fight seriously, by ensuring proper investigations that will bring the culprits to book.

Speaking to pressmen during the walk, Chairperson of BRECAN Oyo state, Mrs. Tolu Taiwo said that, as a responsible organization, BRECAN will not keep quiet in the face of what is fast becoming a pandemic in the country. She expressed as particularly worrrisome the recent wave of rape cases in  Edo and Oyo states where the victims were killed after being raped stressing that it is completely unacceptable.

Some executive members of BRECAN Oyo state participated in the exercise which saw protesters march from the Office of the National Orientation Agency to the  Oyo state Secretariate where they were received by the Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly. The speaker assured the people that government is doing everything within its power to ensure that the unfortunate incidences in the state are curbed.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the global cancer burden to have risen to 18.1 cases with 9.6 million million deaths. That’s in 2018 alone! It further gave the global number of people who are alive within 5 years of cancer diagnosis, called the 5-year prevalence, estimated at 43.8 million. Currently, it is the second highest cause of deaths globally.

The WHO estimates that one in 5 men and one in 6 women worldwide develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 8 men and one in 11 women die from the disease. Cancer accounts for one in every 6 deaths globally. Approximately, 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low and middle-income countries.

The increasing rate of cancer induced mortality, especially in low and middle income countries of the world is a source of major concern. Annually, millions of dollars are sunk into cancer research and cancer treatments. But the question that confound most people is; what causes Cancer?

Unlike some diseases, Cancer does not have one singularly defined causal factor. It is often a combination of several factors. Cancer is triggered by mutations (changes) to the DNA within the cells of humans. The DNA within the cell works like a computer system which commands and programmes the cell on what to do. These include, how and when to grow, divide and when to die off. Wrong signals from the DNA can distort the normal procedure and may result in the abnormal (cancerous) growth of the cell.

• For instance, this gene mutation can:
• Trigger the rapid growth of cells in certain part of the body.
• Fail to communicate to the cells when the right number of cells have been produced to stop growing.
• Fail to correct errors; DNA have repair genes which look for errors in a cell’s DNA and make the necessary corrections. This may fail to happen if there is mutation resulting to the production of cancerous cells.

WHAT CAUSES THIS MUTATION (CHANGES) ?

There are two basic factors:

1. In born gene mutation: an offspring can be born with a gene mutation inherited from the parents. This is why people who have  family history of cancer cases are often advised to do more cancer screening than those who don’t. It is not that cancer is hereditary but the gene mutations can be hereditary. If the cancer in a parent was due to gene mutation, if the offspring inherits such mutation, it automatically becomes a risk factor. This factor however accounts for a small percentage of cancer cases.

2. Gene mutation that occur during One’s life time: these are mutations that are caused due to lifestyle, exposures and health conditions. These factors include:

• AGE: older people are more susceptible to cancer. However, people of any age can be diagnosed of cancer. Prostrate cancer is one of such cancers that manifest with increase in age.

• LIFESTYLE:lifestyles such as;

1. Smoking; a major contributor to lung, colon cancers and oral cancers
2. Frequent intake of alcohol, carbonated drinks (soft drinks)
3. Being obese; predisposes one to cancers, Cardiovascular diseases, etc.
4. Engaging in unsafe sex; a major factor in cervical cancer
5. Sedentary life style (lack of exercise). Exercise boosts the immune system and oxygenates the body. Research has shown that cancer cells do not function well in an oxygenated environment.
6. Food sources; such as nitrites and poly aromatic hydrocarbons often generated by smoking of food eg. barbecue.
7. Staying around people who smoke (second hand smoking) can put you at risk of having cancer.

• ENVIRONMENT: your environment has a huge impact in your life. This include both the home and work environment. Exposure to radiations, ultraviolet radiation from the sun can be contributing factors. Also, chemicals such as asbestos,vinyl chloride, benzene etc. are associated with the increased risk of cancer.

• VIRUSES: in the body: certain viruses increase the risk of cancer. Examples include; Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) (which increases the risk of cervical cancer), Hepatitis B (which increases the risk of liver cancer).

Therefore, to reduce the risk of coming down with cancer, individuals must make concerted efforts to seek regular medical help (early screening) as well as make the right adjustments to their lifestyle. While nothing is hundred percent guaranteed, it is fulfilling to know that the risk has been decreased.

©Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria

April 2020.

image credit: dreamstime.com via google images.

Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) have succeeded in championing the coalition against cancer in three states of the country, Oyo, Ondo and Imo states. The coalition with other Cancer focused NGOs and civil society organizations was birthed by BRECAN’s understanding of the fact, that to fight cancer, a united front must be forged and all hands must be on deck.

In Oyo state, BRECAN rallied 14 other organizations to mark the 2020 World Cancer. Notable among these organizations, include; Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo state chapter, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Oyo state chapter, Patela Care Foundation, Society for Family Health, J’Rapha Hospital, WOCAPS, Santha Ruby,CiSCANEN, among others. The event which took place at NULGE hall Onireke, Ibadan in the form of a symposium, saw about 400 women benefiting from free breast and Cervical Cancer Screening. Prior to the main day, the Coalition had successfully carried out press conferences, schools, church and mosque outreaches as well as embarked on community mobilization.

In Ondo state,ten organizations teamed up with BRECAN to mark the WCD in the Sunshine state. The event was marked with a press conference followed by a walk against cancer in the state capital, Akure. On the 11th of February, a town hall meeting was held which had in attendance key stake holders in the Health sector of the state including, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who pledged his administration’s support to the Coalition with a generous donation by the state government.

The Imo state chapter in conjunction with seven other organization marked the event in Owerri, the state capital with a walk against cancer. There were free breast, cervical and prostrate cancer screening at the end point. BRECAN hopes to sustain these coalitions to ensure that resources are pooled together by all concerned organizations which is expected to give the desired impetus to the fight against cancer.

BRECAN is currently engaging Civil Societies  and Non Governmental organizations across state chapters to form coalitions against cancer. The move is a directive from the  Founder, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who believes that the war against cancer should not be fought in isolation. There is need to form a united front to tackle this monster head on. Globally, there is increasing calls for building strong advocacy synergy towards cancer eradication.

The Ondo state chapter of BRECAN have taken the lead as they successfully organized an interactive session between the NGOs and Civil Societies who are interested in the fight against cancer. Oyo and Imo state chapters have concluded plans to hold similar interactive session. The coalitions will jointly mark the World Cancer Day in the month of February, 2020.