Women over 40 have a higher risk of having breast cancer.

The Executive Director, Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre, Ilorin, Kenneth Ejiogu, said on Tuesday that breast cancer is preventable if women embark on yearly breast examination and mammograms.

Mr. Ejiogu, however, stated that women above 40-years-old were at risk of having breast cancer.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday in Ilorin, the expert blamed the prevalence of cancer on inadequate awareness.

Mr. Ejiogu, who noted that only one out of every nine women in Nigeria undergo breast screening, also said: “Breast cancer, the commonest female cancer in Nigeria, is preventable by breast examination and yearly mammograms.

“Females above 40 years should have yearly mammogram, while those with maternal family history of breast cancer should start screening before 40 years.

“Early detection is key to treatment and cure but currently in Nigeria, only one out of nine women undergoes screening for breast cancer,” he added.

He, however, allayed the fear of outright removal of cancerous breast with the new medical discovery.

“Most early cancer can now be treated by lumpectomy only without removing the entire breast,’’ he said.

Mr. Ejiogu advised women to be wary of any lump in their breast, change in breast appearance and discharge from breast, saying these could be symptoms of cancer.

(NAN)