Breast cancer, early detection saves lives | Zambia Daily Mail

A PATIENT being screend at Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital.

By DOREEN NAWA
EARLY detection of breast cancer through routine examinations saves thousands of lives every year.
And this is the message that the Cancer Diseases Hospital would like to run with this month of October.
As Zambia joins the rest of the world to commemorating the month of October as the Breast Cancer Month, Cancer Diseases Hospital executive director Kennedy Lishimpi?s message to the country is simple?.routine examinations.
Routine examinations can be clinical breast examination or breast self-examination.
Dr Lishimpi says, ?Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of a cure. That in itself is the most important reason to make an appointment today for a breast examinations or mammogram or do it yourself at home. Early diagnosis of any kind of cancer is the way to a better cure.?
Although there has not yet been any survey countrywide to get correct data on breast cancer, the incidence of breast cancer in Zambia and the mortality rate is worrisome.
Evidenced from the influx of patients flocking to the Cancer Diseases Hospital for breast cancer treatment, it is no doubt that action has to be taken.
As the old adage goes, ?Your health is in your hands?, it is important for any person to regularly check and monitor any changes in their bodies.
According to Dr Lishimpi ,it is important for any person to carry out breast self-examinations.
Dr Lishimpi said, ?Breast self-examination (BSE) or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find a breast cancer early and when detected, it is more likely to be treated successfully. Breast self-examination is done once a month. If you notice a growth in your breast, please get medical attention although not every growth is cancerous.?
According to Dr Lishimpi, breast self-examination is done by one feeling their breasts.
Breast self-examinations
Although there has been a lot of heated debate in the research and medical communities about the usefulness of breast self-exams in detecting breast cancer in the early stages, there is enough compelling data to indicate that self-exams are still effective in helping us stay aware of any changes that may be a cause for concern.
Dr Lishimpi says it is easier to feel breast tissue using breast self-examination as it spreads more evenly and is at its thinnest.
?If you have not done these tests yet, get started now.? Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will be carrying out free mammograms and clinical breast examinations in all the government clinics and hospitals,? Dr Lishimpi said.
According to Dr Lishimpi, breast self-examination plays a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman.
?Not every lump or tumour is cancerous; most of the people that come here with suspected breast cancer have come to learn that it was not breast cancer but just a lump. Doing BSE regularly is one way for people to know how their breasts normally look and feel and to notice any changes. The goal, with or without BSE, is to report any breast changes to a doctor or nurse right away,? Dr Lishimpi says.
Clinical breast examinations
According to Dr Lishimpi, another type of breast examination is not optional and should be done regularly.
It is called the clinical breast examination and basically means getting your breasts checked by a qualified health professional like a nurse or a doctor.
?It is a great way to ensure that everything?s okay, as well as an opportunity to discuss wellness options with your doctor and ask questions, address concerns and clarify doubts. You can also review your self-examination technique and get important feedback,? Dr Lishimpi says.
As the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating October as the Breast Cancer Month, all government clinics will be providing free services on breast cancer detection. Breast cancer is the most curable form of cancer and early detection is the key.
When asked why the intense interest in informing people about breast cancer, Dr Lishimpi said because it is a disease that often can be detected early and successfully treated.
?The benefits of detecting any kind of cancer early are a lot and chances of surviving are high when it is detected at its early stage. But if left untreated too long, however, the disease becomes virtually unbeatable. When breast cancer is diagnosed early, 93 percent of its victims survive,? Dr Lishimpi said
Dr Lishimpi says after the age of 40, it is important for women to undergo annual mammogram screenings.
?A mammogram is basically an X-ray of your breast. It is especially useful in cases where there appear to be no breast problems. Mammogram screenings have proven to be most effective in breast cancer detection and are thus an important part of any breast cancer awareness programme,? Dr Lishimpi says.
And Cancer Diseases Hospital mammographer Mercy Chipampe said programmme aimed at? raising awareness about breast cancer, the major killer of women, are in progress. ,

Cancer Diseases Hospital mammographer Mercy Chipampe.

Mrs Chipampe also put emphasis on self-examination. ?Self-examination is the most basic level of protection. If you are uncertain how to check, ask any health care professional. In this month of October, the Cancer Diseases Hospital will be conducting breast cancer screening free of charge.?
She said regular mammograms and examinations by health care professionals also are critical safeguards.
?The great tragedy of breast cancer is that it is so easy to detect and can be treated so effectively ? yet it kills so many women. That is why it is important for everyone to participate in campaigns to raise awareness of the disease and what can be done to combat it,? Mrs Chipampe says.
Unlike lung and liver cancers, breast cancer is not as scary as people might think.
If women take care and check their breasts regularly, the cancer can be detected early, which gives a better chance not only of getting rid of the cancer, but also of preserving the affected breast.
Especially women in high-risk groups should have their breasts regularly examined.

Source: http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=17578

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