Breast Cancer: Association Predicts High Mortality Rate

President of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has said that about 500,000 women would die of breast cancer globally in 2012.

She made this known to journalists, Tuesday in Ibadan against the backdrop of the global breast cancer  deadline of January 1, 2020.

Referring to statistics from the US, the BRECAN President said more than 250,000 women and 2,000 men would be diagnosed with Brest Cancer in 2012, with more than 40,000 dying.

Considering the number of lives at risk, Anyanwu-Akeredolu believes that if vigorously tackled, the ailment would definitely be brought under control. In her words “it is a tall order, you might say, the National Break Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has set this deadline to galvanize a sense of urgency.”

In her desperation for the realisation of the NBCC’s call to action to end break cancer by January 2020, Anyanwu-Akeredolu said BRECAN identifies with NBCC in is global commitment and would advocate for the federal government to channel resources towards the efforts.

She however said BRECAN was against the non-inclusion of cancer as ailments covered by the NHIS Scheme in the country, describing as pathetic, the lack of a reliable data on cases of breast cancer in the country.

She equally frowned at the death of cancer professionals, the inadequate break cancer diagnostic and treatment infrastructure and lack of safety net for needy patients.

From available reports, there are indications that break cancer is the leading cancer in females and the most commonly diagnosed when both genders are combined.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition has earmarked January 1, 2020 for the eradication of Breast Cancer.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi