It has not been the most comfortable week for Nigerians and it seems like life may not be back to normal for a while. It is for an amazing cause though. And we should all put heads, hands and voices together to speak up for our generation and the ones to come.
In the midst of all this, it’s Pinktober still and we may not have as many reminders of this as before. So here’s this article to remind us of Breast cancer awareness, the disease of metastasis and other cancers that often affect women.
I hope this article reminds you to do the necessary checks for health’s sake. Because early detection is one of the most effective ways of ensuring great prognosis.
Breast Self-examination
With just a simple routine check of your breasts, a person can notice lumps, discharges, dimpling, change in shape and feel of his or her breasts. And this can do wonders in ensuring that the disease is curbed, slowed or stopped at once.
You can do this at home in the morning. Laying on your bed or in front of your mirror.
See your doctor if you notice any abnormalities
You should do this often, regardless of your age. You’re not too young for it as long as you have breasts.
Mammograms
This X-ray helps to detect masses and calcification in the breasts and is extremely effective with only 10% false negatives. Women from age 40-44 can start yearly mammograms. Women between 45-55 must ensure they have mammogram once a year. And women 55 and up should have a mammogram twice a year or once a year if they choose to.
On this same topic of cancers that affect women, I’d really like to mention Cervical cancer caused by the Human papilloma virus. I feel like it deserves a whole article on its own but for the sake of this, it’s important to chip it in.
Vaccination against HPV
HPV is sexually transmitted so if you are sexually active, it will be best to get a vaccine. This vaccine prevents infections that cause 70% of cervical cancers.
You can also get the vaccine if you have been sexually active in the past but by some stroke of luck, don’t have the virus.
Regular screening
For previously or currently sexually active individuals, that may already have the virus, it is important to add cervical cancer screening to the list of your yearly checkups.
HPV could be generally dormant in the body of both men and women for many many years. And in women sometimes, they may then manifest as cancers. This is why it is important to screen every year or every six months so as to catch any abnormality early.
Many hospitals and labs can screen and vaccine for and against HPV and these days, many if them do it as ridiculously reduced prices compared to in the past.
Don’t forget to share this message and post with friends, family, the public and people you care about.
Let’s save lives and reduce mortality.