Be Pro-active, Experts Tell Breast Cancer Patients

Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, has urged suspected breast cancer patients to be more proactive by asking for tests that could ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of their ailment.

The body says the tests, now available in hospitals; such as the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), were essentially to adequately predict the types of breast cancer.

This was indicated in a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop on the handling and reports of breast cancer cases in Lagos and signed by the chairperson of the Lagos State branch of Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, Professor Adekunle Banjo.

They emphasised appropriate handling of any lump removed from the breast to ensure an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.

“There is a lot of knowledge in the professional and public domains that warrants a greater level of diligence and professionalism in the handling of breast specimens,” they said.

“Guidelines on the acquisition and handling of breast cancer biopsies (specimens) and masteromies and the transport of such specimens to the laboratory should be familiar to medical doctors, medical laboratory scientists and pathologists and should strictly be adhered to.”

The association stressed the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to the management of breast cancer, the role of the pathologists in providing significant information about the disease and predictive as well as prognostic information relevant to the management of every individual breast cancer case.

As a way forward, they urged other hospitals in Nigeria to acquire technology and expertise required for determining the type and nature of breast cancer to ensure adequate care for patients within the country.