More Than One Woman's Struggle

"I need air", I told myself. Not that I had  been in a vacuum, the aristocratic and sophisticated-looking house I was in was more than ventilated. I just needed to get out and breathe.

The twins had just fallen asleep after I read them a bedtime story, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. They kept asking questions like "Dad, when will mom be back?" "Will she come back for our birthday?" I set out.

 I pause, startled by the unexpected jingling of chains and the successive barking that followed. I glance towards the direction of the disturbance, it was the dog in the next compound performing its vigilante duties.

In this darkest hour before dawn, when most people are safely tucked in their beds, it was a startling and unwelcoming intrusion.

I resume my walking, becoming more aware of the tears streaming down my face.

How much I miss her! Her smiles, laughter, unexpected angry outbursts that made us scamper to safety and the way she ordered everybody around. She was nicknamed boss lady by the kids.

We met at a friend's party. I was discussing the happenings in the stock exchange market with a broker-friend of mine when I suddenly heard Tomi laugh. I couldn't help but look.

I saw this absolutely stunning woman in her late twenties. I was later told she was into Estate Management. She had this presence. I felt 'the' thrill...then and there, I knew she was the one.

The wedding ceremony was fabulous. Our joy knew no bounds when the twins arrived, Folakemi and Folagbade. The money was steady, life was good.

Until two and half years ago.....

On a sunday night after lecturing me on compromise, I agreed to watching her favourite show, Every Woman, instead of a football match. During the programme, she saw horrible pictures of breasts with cancer and learnt how to perform a self breast-examination.

A week later, after having her bath, she told me she felt a lump in her left breast. I laughed and told her she was it was her overactive imagination initiated by that episode of Every Woman. She agreed and laughed at my teasing.

Later that week, we went to visit her mom. Mama Tomi, as her mom was popularly called, was ecstatic on seeing her only child. "Omo mi, Ajike, Abeke, Agbeke, Asake", she called out Tomi's yoruba pet names, in her sing-song voice. After exchanging pleasantries with my mother-in-law, I was politely excused.

They went upstairs for another of their routine mother-daughter chat. I later found out she had told her mom about the lump she supposedly felt.

"Ok ma, we will be there on saturday. I'll take 'Kemi and 'Gbade to my friend, Busola's place... Yes... Amen ma ...ok ma... Thank you, mom. Have a nice day. Alright, I will", I heard Tomi say the next day as I stepped out of the shower.

She told me her mum said she had a feeling that the lump was not ordinary, but the work of the enemies. The same enemies that killed Tomi's father, and that she would take us somewhere. We agreed to it, mostly because Mama Tomi, wouldn't take no for an answer.

The journey to Baba Awogbemi's traditional home took us two hours out of town. His 'consulting room' was poorly-lit by traditional lamps, decorated with traditional mats, clothes and calabashes. Sitting in a corner of the room, was an evil-looking creature made from stone,  with feathers, cowries and pieces of cloth smeared with dried blood.  "Ologundudu oooo.... Alapa oooo." He shouted before reeling off incantations in Yoruba, thereafter, making noises that sounded more like shrieks and the howling of a wolf.

I remember glancing at my Swiss-made Fossil Chronograph watch , and thinking about leaving. I was outraged that I had to put up with all this because of a harmless lump, if it indeed existed.  He ended up telling us Mama Tomi had suspected; Tomi's father's enemies had decided she was next. We were given soaps for Tomi to take her bath with, and told to come back for a cream that would dissolve the lump.

During the next visit, we were given herbal mixtures, a protective bracelet and a cream that smelled like rotten egg. Tomi followed Baba Awogbemi's instructions religiously.

8 months later, we decided to check it out with the doctor. It had become bigger. Also, there was the bloody nipple discharge. I remember her worried face as she related the doctor's appointment, she should have gone earlier, immediately the lump was detected. She was to have a biopsy done to confirm if it was cancer.  

"The biopsy showed a cancerous growth, invasive ductal carcinoma."

"Cancer?!!" she shouted in the doctor's office, almost hysterical.

"Yes, Mrs. Odutola, you have breast cancer." the doctor replied.

I had been uneasy since the day before that the doctor had told me to come with my wife to see him about the result of the biopsy.

Other words were said: Surgery. Chemotherapy. Radiation.

It's funny how life doesn’t prepare you for situations like this. No lesson on facing trials and troubles can ever prepare you for the roller-coaster of emotions that will envelope you. I felt numb.

I'll never forget that I held her hand and said, "Together we'll be ok." I had desperately wanted to believe that.

Explaining to the children wasn't easy. How was I to tell our eight-year-olds that their mum was sick and possibly going to die?

Mama Tomi couldn't handle the news. She believed her enemies had caught up with her at last!

Tomi underwent the treatments, I was determined to give her the best, money was not an issue.

Bad news was that the cancer had spread to her lungs, later her organs were failing...

Her mother had a heart attack and passed away. Tomi had to be wheeled to her mother's burial, she could no longer walk.

It was hard watching her go through so much pain, grief and not being able to do something, anything to take it away.

Throughout our fight, we were showered with love from family and friends. We had joined a strong cancer support group at the beginning, in the quest to gather information.

She was strong, she fought, until she was tired. Too tired to fight and at last, it ended. She succumbed. She died.

Here I am, fours months after trying to be both Mom and Dad to the kids. I wish she left me a manual....

My experience has made me join the fight against breast cancer. It was my wife. It could be anybody, it's more than one woman's struggle...

 Modupeoluwa Omisore.

Medical student. Freelance Writer.

©CurbCancer Nigeria

Kindly follow us on twitter @CurbCancerNG

CurbCancer Nigeria's talk with women living with breast cancer

The CurbCancer Nigeria team decided to walk up to some women currently undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer in order to know how they are feeling and coping with the diagnosis, their suggestions to the government and words of encouragement to other people living with Breast Cancer.

This is what they had to say.

1^st interview

CurbCancer Nigeria: Good afternoon ma, we’re from CurbCancer Nigeria, we’re concerned with promoting cancer awareness in Nigeria. Please we’d like to ask you a few questions.

How old are you?

Woman: 28yrs

CurbCancer Nigeria: When were you diagnosed as having breast cancer?

Woman: 5months ago (June 2013)

CurbCancer Nigeria: How did you feel when you received the diagnosis?

Woman: I felt so bad, but what would I do? The deed has been done, I am coping

CurbCancer Nigeria: What has been inspiring you since then?

Woman: My husband and my children. My church also

CurbCancer Nigeria: Do you think the government is doing enough for people living with breast cancer?

Woman: No. The awareness is poor

CurbCancer Nigeria: What are your suggestions for the government on how to cater for people living with breast cancer?

Woman: Provision of drugs for treatment and other facilities including laboratory facilities for diagnosis

CurbCancer Nigeria: Any word of encouragement for other people living with Breast Cancer?

Woman: With God, all things are possible. When God says yes, who can say no? It is not meant to destroy us, rather, it is meant to strengthen us in Christ Jesus

CurbCancer Nigeria: Thank you very much.

2^nd Interview

CurbCancer Nigeria: Good afternoon ma, we’re from CurbCancer Nigeria, we’re concerned with promoting cancer awareness in Nigeria. Please we’d like to ask you a few questions.

How old are you?

Woman: 44years

CurbCancer Nigeria: When were you diagnosed as having breast cancer?

Woman: 4years ago (2009)

CurbCancer Nigeria: How did you feel when you received the diagnosis?

Woman: I was worried and disturbed.

CurbCancer Nigeria: What has been inspiring you since then?

Woman: The grace of God and the encouragement from the Consultant treating me.

CurbCancer Nigeria: Do you think the government is doing enough for people living with breast cancer?

Woman: No, the government is not doing enough.

CurbCancer Nigeria: What are your suggestions for the government on how to cater for people living with breast cancer?

Woman: The government should not limit the National Health Insurance Scheme to the surgery alone, but it should also include the Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

CurbCancer Nigeria: Any word of encouragement for other people living with Breast Cancer?

Woman: Early detection is important. Also, follow the instructions of your doctor and stick to the treatment as stated.

You’ve read it all, early detection is key. Let’s join hands together to curb the menace of Breast Cancer in Nigeria.

©CurbCancer Nigeria

Kindly follow us on twitter @CurbCancerNG

Breast Lumps in Young Women

A 25-year old lady, who as a result of her frequent self-examination discovers a lump in one of her breasts, can become anxious, sad and depressed about what it all means.

She begins with questions like “Do I have cancer?”, “Does this mean I am going to die soon?”

This is like trying to solve a problem by worrying or attacking a problem from an unknown point; neither yields a good result.

There are various medical terminologies that have been used to describe different forms of breast lumps. A lump literally is a collection of tissue in an abnormal location; the tissue can either be normal or abnormal. Diverse diseases and situations can cause breast lumps or swellings (lumps can also be referred to as swellings). Common causes include:

1.  Fibroadenoma: This is the commonest non-cancerous growth in the breasts of young women. It is usually as a result of the effect of hormones. It is usually firm and painless, it may be movable and its edges are usually distinct.

Fibroadenomas can grow in size or may just remain as the same size. Most fibroadenomas are removed by surgeons but they could also be left behind if confirmed that they are fibroadenomas and not growing in size.

2. Fibroadenosis (also referred to as Benign Mammary Dysplasia): This is common in women between 20-years of age and often both breasts are affected. They may have granular small lumps in one or both breasts and breast pain which occurs shortly before the menstrual period.

They are treated by reassurance, use of pain relieving drugs and sometimes excision.

3. Breast Cysts: These are usually painless (painful in a few women) breast lumps that occur in women but are more common about the age of 40. They are usually due to fluid collection within a cavity in the breast tissue. These cysts can be diagnosed by ultrasound of the breast in young women.  Mammograms may also detect them in women over 40.

Cysts can simply be treated by needle aspiration.

4.  Lactational Mastitis: This occurs as a result of breastfeeding in some lactating mothers. Milk engorgement when infected can lead to a breast swelling. This usually occurs when there is a small crack in the nipple. The breast swelling is painful and red/shiny, sometimes with production of pus.

5. Fat Necrosis: This is usually seen in middle aged women and could occur following minor sometimes unnoticed injuries to the breast. The breast lump is usually painless and could be confused with breast cancer and in some cases only be differentiated by clinical investigations.

6. Carcinoma of the Breast (Breast Cancer): Although this is more common in older women, it could also occur in young ladies and recently, the number of cases in young ladies has been increasing, especially in those with a family history of the disease. In this, the breast lump is also painless (and this is the significance of self breast examination in detecting the lump at an early stage). There may be changes over the skin of the breast, blood stained nipple discharge, or retraction of the nipple.

Unless it has spread to other parts of the body, there may be no other symptom.

The singular most important point is that with a breast lump, any of the above conditions and many more are possible. Seeking medical help early is the gold step to take.

The medical team collects data by asking some specific questions, streamline the options and carry out examinations and tests in order to arrive at a definite diagnosis. The diagnosis is then attacked head on with different forms of therapy depending on the particular disease condition.

Not all breast lumps are cancerous; this certainty however lies in seeking medical help and seeking it early makes the outcome better.

Let’s all help to curb Breast Cancer in our country Nigeria

Oyende Olamide E.

CurbCancer Nigeria

Do Bras Really Cause Breast Cancer?

                Women have used a variety of garments/devices to cover, restrain or modify the appearance of their breasts over time. They include corsets, camisoles and brassieres.

Brassieres popularly known as “Bras” replaced Corsets in the 19^th Century and since then much attention has been paid to the fashion aspect of bras. Several corporations are now into the multimillion dollar industry of brassiere manufacturing leading to the evolution of bras with many types of bras available depending on the individual and the need. These include sport bras, nursing bras, strapless/halter neck bras, wireless/full band/partial band, molded/padded/unpadded.

However, over time and even more recently, there have been some suggestions and speculations that wearing bras could be linked to breast cancer.

This has created much buzz on the internet, even with the introduction of the “No Bra Day” which holds on July 9^th and October 13^th.

                The explanation by people in support of this idea is that these bras especially underwire bras block the drainage of lymphatic fluid from the bottom of the breast so that it cannot drain back into the body and that it therefore leads to accumulation of toxins that results in breast cancer.

An author also suggested that the use of bras explains the high rate of breast cancer in Western countries and lower rates in developing world where women are less likely to wear bras.

So what can we make of these suggestions?

Presently, the renowned Cancer Research organizations in the world like CancerResearch UK and the American Cancer Society believe there is no scientific link between use of bras and breast cancer.

CancerResearch UK states that you would need to wear a bra that is painfully and unbearably tight for it to have any effect on your lymphatic system.

Some patients that had treatment which involved removal of lymph nodes which help in draining lymph were also followed up at the National Cancer Institute were also followed up over time and they were found not to have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Also, constriction or application of pressure to a particular area of the body has not been shown to make normal cells cancerous unlike identified “carcinogens” such as some chemicals, radiation and some viruses

We also know that there are many other differences between lifestyle in Western and developing world other than the use of bras that contribute to breast cancer risk.

Presently, the cause(s) of Breast Cancer is/are not known. A breast cancer surgeon once stated that this “bra myth” actually comes from the frustration of not knowing what actually causes the disease.

Known risk factors for Breast Cancer however include

•          Sex: It is more common in females, although it could occur in males, but it is rare
•          Age: The risk increases with increasing age
•     Having a strong family history of the disease
•          Use of Oral contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy
•      Late age at first childbirth or not having children at all
•      Early age at first menstruation
•      Late age at menopause
•      Alcohol intake

It is important to note that presence of these risk factors does not mean an individual would develop breast cancer, it just denotes that such individuals should take breast screening more seriously and should alert their healthcare providers once they notice any change in their breasts

In conclusion, currently, there is no scientific link between the use of bras and breast cancer. However this is not to totally throw the suggestions into the waste bin. We hope ongoing research sheds more light on the cause of Breast Cancer in the nearest future.

'Tunde Kukoyi
©CurbCancer Nigeria
Follow us on Twitter @CurbCancerNG

A woman's experience with breast cancer

                                                         AGAINST THE WINDS

My name is Ifedayo. I am 37 years old. I am a banker and am single. Well, like many of you guys I have always heard so much about breast cancer. And I always knew I could never have cancer of the breast. The disease to me was like finding snow in the desert. I believed I could not have it because I was young - just 35 years. Also, there is no history of such disease in my family, among other reasons – either way, I thought I could never have it.

That was two years ago.  Presently, I am on drugs, my hair, my wedding, blossom looks and career are long gone like coin money in our Nigerian denominations.

It had all begun one morning while having my bath. As usual, I was rushing to work. Work was hectic those days because I got winds of a promotion swinging my way.  So I was trying hard to wear my best at work. Besides, preparation for my wedding was wearing my time thin. That morning, I had casually felt a soft ball in my left breast. I was alarmed. ‘What could this be?’ I worried aloud.  I took a closer look at it. Now I was running late for work. I had to shelve the idea of the swelling till when I returned from work. Besides, the swelling was just sitting down quietly and was not painful. Perhaps it would disappear with time. It should be one of those things that come and go.

The next time I noticed the quiet ball was six months later when I noticed a nipple discharge. This time around the mass was firmer. So I was much more troubled. I was disturbed because my overly-late wedding was just some four months away. So I went to see a doctor – a surgeon. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a long journey.

After the doctor examined my two breasts, my armpit, my tummy and other places. He said ‘Please dress up.’

I did.

‘Young lady, why are you just coming now?’

I was alarmed.

 ‘Is it very terrible? Am I going to die? Will I have my breast removed?’ I asked. ‘It is just four months to my wedding.’ I continued, ‘I only noticed it about six months ago.’

‘You should have come to the hospital immediately you saw it. You should have.’

‘But it was just a small mass’ I continued ‘Could six months only have done any havoc?’

‘Six months can do much more.’ He paused. ‘If you had come here earlier, we would have had more chances.’  He continued, ‘Cancer is like a cube of sugar, it is easier to remove when it is freshly put in a cup of tea than when it has dissolved throughout the tea.’

I went dead quiet.

‘How bad is it now?’ I asked anxiously.

‘Not too good.’ He replied. ‘I will have to run some tests on you to know how bad.’

My heart sank.

He wrote some tests which included a chest x-ray and another test called a biopsy. A biopsy will tell if it is really a cancer. And I left his clinic.

The next few days were the most terrible days of my 35 years alive. I could not eat, go out, take my bath or do anything meaningful. Everything around me paused. I prayed hard. I prayed that the ball would be benign.

I told my parents. They were alarmed but calmer than me.

My mother came with me to check the result of the test. It was incredible. The doctor told me I had cancer of the breast.

My head flew from my neck and was spinning. I wanted to get knocked down by a car badly or killed someway. I felt my world had come to an end. But what would happen to my fiancé and my marriage? What would my friends think of me? Now people would run away from me. How long more do I have to live? Is this how I am going to die?

Subsequently, I felt life was slowing deserting me. I felt weak. I met my lawyer, and made my will. There and then, I took a last shot at living. I told myself that a coward dies many times before his death but a valiant dies just once.

I chose to be valiant.

During my admission in the hospital, my fiancé came around the hospital to see me. I could not stop shedding tears when I saw him. I knew our plans had died a natural death.  Who would marry a woman with her two breasts yanked off? Who would marry a woman who cannot care for him? Who is ready to marry a dying woman? Though he did not say anything about us. We both knew. He still came around to see me a couple of times. The last I heard about him was that he married an old friend. I cried more.

 I lost my job. I lost everything except my family – but is having this cancer - or whatever it is called - my fault? This among other questions peeped into my mind every now and then. I couldn’t wait to ask God these questions as I wait for his cuddle to welcome me back home.

That was two years ago, now I am living my full life with faith and hope. After all, what can we do to what we can’t change; we enjoy it. I had a successful surgery and completed my doses of chemotherapy. It’s been a new experience altogether because I thought I was a dead-loser but now I am a survivor. Thank God my parents were with me. I joined a breast cancer group where I was able to ask and answer questions about how people coped with their different challenges with breast cancer. Also, I got a job which is well-adapted to my health fitness. I fought back hard. I would rather fight with faith and hope than mopping with regrets and bitterness about life.

This story was written by Seyi Ajayi (@drfolajimi), a final year Medical student based on his experience with patients with breast cancer in a bid to promote Breast Cancer awareness.

You can join this cause, follow @CurbCancerNG on twitter, Like our facebook page www.fb.com/curbcancernigeria

Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Contest

Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Contest

We are currently working to promote Breast Cancer Awareness in Nigeria

Guess what? You can also help to promote breast cancer awareness in Nigeria.

All you need is a camera phone and you are good to go.

Remember the color is Pink, so get your pink T-shirt/cardboard/ink/poster color/ribbons/accessories

Take an inspiring picture (of yourself, a note written by you, a group regarding breast cancer awareness)

Post it via twitter and Cc @CurbCancerNG

Top 5 inspiring and original pictures get free gifts!!!

Winners would be selected at the end of the month…

Join the fight, share the word….

How can I examine my breasts?

****How can I examine my breasts?****

The process of examining one's breasts looking for problems in the breast tissue is known as Breast Self examination or Self Breast Examination.
Many women and some experts agree that doing this is important to the health of women as it is an easy, quick and convenient way of detecting changes in the breast. Usually the aim of breast self examination is to know how your breasts normally look or feel so you can detect changes early.

****When is the best time to do a Breast Self Examination****

The best time to do a Breast self examination is about a week after your period starts. Your breasts are not tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle.
If you have gone through menopause already, do your examination on the same day of every month.

****How to go about it?****

• Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all the breast tissue if you are lying down. Place your right hand behind your head and with the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down in small circular motions to examine the right breast.
• Next, sit or stand and feel your armpit because the breast tissue extends into that area.
• Gently squeeze the nipple, looking for any discharge.
• Repeat a similar process on the left breast.

• Next stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side and look at your breasts directly and in the mirror.
• Look for any changes in the contour or symmetry of the breasts, any swelling or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Do the same with your arms raised above your head

Note:

Many women's breasts feel lumpy. Breast tissue naturally has a bumpy texture that varies from one woman to another. For some women, the lumpiness is more pronounced than for others.
In most cases, the lumpiness is no cause to worry about especially if the lumpiness can be felt throughout the breasts and feels like your other breast, it is likely just normal tissue.
Lumps that feel harder or different from the rest of the breast tissue or bloody discharge from the nipples may be of concern. If you notice this, go to your doctor right away to have a clinical breast examination or other tests to be sure it is not cancer.
It will be important to mention at this point that breast self examination is gradually being frowned at because of the anxiety, unnecessary hospital visits and tests associated with it but it could still be applicable in a resource poor environment like ours where screening tests e.g Mammography are not readily available.

CurbCancer Nigeria: Who we are and what we do...

       

 It is no longer news that cancers truly exist and are becoming more common in the world (even in younger people) with greater impact on developing countries like ours.

The W.H.O estimates that the no of deaths due to cancer would be about 13million by the year 2030 with most of these in developing countries.

So are we going to sit back and watch this unfold?

No!

However the truth is that if we would continue in this uniform state of rest unless acted upon by an external force (like Newton said in his laws of motion) and events would actually unfold just as predicted.

Many people in our environment are ignorant and have misperceptions of cancers and only just go to the hospital when it is almost too late to act

This is what gave birth to the “CurbCancer Nigeria” organization which was setup by a team of medics and healthcare professionals. As our name implies, we are not trying to cure cancers, however we are trying to put a check to its rising incidence and also to reduce the no of friends, family, bright futures and dreams this disease is stealing from us through death.

We intend to do this through

-          Increasing awareness about the existence and known causes of cancers

-          Facilitating behavioural change amongst our people by promoting healthy lifestyle habits

-          Promoting early detection of cancers through screening exercises

-          Providing hope, support and advice for people living with cancers

-          Serving as advocates to the government and corporations for people living with cancers

All of these might just seem like a drop in the ocean, but we believe that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and we are ready to take that step.