Lagos: At 25 years and newly married, Mrs. Elizabeth Awo-Ejeh was full of life and had her dreams of building a family while pursuing the career ahead of her. However, in 2021, she discovered a lump in one of her breasts. To her, it was not anything to bother about since it did not hurt her, neither was there any discharge from it. During a visit to the hospital, the doctor even reassured her that the lump was nothing to worry about.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Awo-Ejeh felt uneasy despite the doctor’s reassurance and, encouraged by her husband, sought a second opinion. At the next hospital, a breast ultrasound revealed the lump was a Fibro Adenoma, a non-cancerous tumor. She was advised to either remove it or wait six months to see if it would disappear on its own. Choosing to wait, she later experienced sharp pain and discharge, prompting another ultrasound that suggested the possibility of cancer. Following a biopsy, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Estrogen Receptors and Progest
erone Receptors-positive.
At just 25, newly married and with dreams of starting a family and building her career, Awo-Ejeh felt her world fall apart. Like many, she initially believed a cancer diagnosis was a death sentence. Her perception changed after medical experts convinced her that it can be treated. She underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and 25 sessions of radiation. Now in remission, she continues hormone therapy to prevent recurrence and shares her story to highlight that cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early.
Mrs. Mariam Salami, another cancer survivor, shared her journey, emphasizing the shock of her diagnosis. Living an unhealthy lifestyle, she was unprepared for the news, which left her feeling heartbroken, shocked, and overwhelmed. Her treatment journey was filled with immense pain and anguish, but the support from her spouse, family, friends, and colleagues provided strength.
The World Health Organization describes cancer as a large group of diseases
that can start in almost any organ or tissue, characterized by abnormal cell growth. It is the second leading cause of death globally. In Nigeria, 127,763 new cancer cases were recorded in 2022, with significant deaths from breast, prostate, and cervix uteri cancers.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare recently began collecting data on cancer survivors. Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, highlighted that previously, only hospital data was collected, lacking comprehensive survivor information. With new strategic plans, survivorship is now a focus area.
Advancements in cancer treatment now offer hope. Dr. Hannatu Ayuba, a Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, cited improved screening methods, surgical techniques, radiation therapy, and tailored chemotherapy regimens as factors enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing toxicity. Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that cancer should not be feared as a
death sentence due to technological advancements.
Yet, challenges remain, particularly stigma and employment discrimination against cancer survivors. Ms. Gloria Orji-Nwajiogu, a two-time breast cancer survivor and advocate, urged for legislative protection for cancer patients to prevent job loss post-diagnosis. She emphasized the need for interventions supporting survivorship beyond treatment.