1 in 8 women risks breast cancer in a lifetime — Biochemist

A non-governmental organisation, Initiative for Peace Building and Social Change, has expressed concerns over the rising cases of breast cancer among Nigerian women.

A biochemist and chief executive officer of the NGO, Mr. Gbenga Gbarada, noted that one in every eight women risks developing the disease in a lifetime.

Gbarada said, “Statistics reveal that breast cancer represents 12.5 per cent of cancerous deaths worldwide, making it the second leading cause of deaths relating to cancer.

“Also, 70 per cent of people in developing countries are victims of this disease, which makes breast cancer more dangerous than certain communicable diseases.”

He lamented that between 7,000 and 10,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed each year, while nearly 40,000 women were expected to die of the disease if drastic actions were not adopted to tackle its scourge.

Gbarada revealed that a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases as she gets older.

He said, “Ageing is a fundamental factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to a build-up of risks for specific cancers that increase with age.

“The overall risk accumulation is combined with the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms to be less effective as a person grows older.”

He added that other factors that could also increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer were inherited changes in certain genes, a family history of the disease, having dense breasts, and beginning menstrual period before the age of 12.

“Others include late menopause after age 55, having a first full-term pregnancy after age 30, never having been pregnant, obesity after menopause and alcohol use,” Gbarada said.

Also speaking on the incidence of cervical cancer, the CEO/MD of Optimal Cancer Foundation, Dr. Femi Olaleye, noted that one in every 12 women is at the risk of having cervical cancer due to the growth of the body cells.

 

 

He said, “One in every 12 women is at the risk of developing cervical cancer owing to generational causes; while every sexually active woman stands the 

high risk of developing the disease.” 

Culled from PUNCH