A medical expert, Prof. Adenike Akhigbe, has called for increased awareness and education about breast cancer, underscoring the need for both men and women to be vigilant about breast health.
According to her, to facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer, men must be aware of the risk factors and symptoms.
The professor of radiology also stressed the importance of mammography in early breast cancer detection, encouraging women to begin regular screenings at age 40.
Delivering the 312th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Benin with the topic “Seeing the Unseen: Medical Imaging to the Rescue,” Akhigbe highlighted the profound impact of radiological imaging on modern healthcare.
She addressed common myths and encouraged women to begin regular screenings at age 40.
Akhigbe noted that breast cancer can also occur in men, albeit less commonly, saying, “To facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer, men must be aware of the risk factors and symptoms.
“The misconception that breast cancer is exclusively a woman’s disease can lead to delayed diagnoses in men, which often results in more advanced disease at the time of detection.”
She noted the importance of breast awareness among men and recommended that they consult healthcare providers if they notice any unusual changes in their breast tissue.
Akhigbe, who is a founding member of the Breast Imaging Society of Nigeria (BISON) and its immediate past president, advocated for regular mammograms starting at age 40 for women and stressed the need for tailored screening protocols that take into account the unique demographic and healthcare challenges in Nigeria.
Akhigbe stressed the importance of public education campaigns to increase awareness and encourage early screening, aimed at reducing the burden of breast cancer in the country.
