Breast Cancer: We Records Four New Cases Weekly — Kwara Surgeon

Breast cancer affects up to four individuals weekly in Kwara State, according to Prof. Olayide Agodirin, a consultant surgeon at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. He warned that the disease often goes undetected for years before symptoms appear. Agodirin emphasized the importance of regular screening for early diagnosis and successful treatment, as breast cancer can remain in its earliest stage for up to seven years without showing any visible signs.

At the 2026 Pink Kwara Breast Cancer Screening Campaign held in Ilorin, organizers pledged to offer free screening to 1,000 women. Agodirin highlighted that only about half of breast cancer patients in the region visit hospitals, with Kwara seeing approximately two to four new cases weekly and ten new cases monthly. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in Nigeria, posing a significant threat to women's health.

The disease progresses through five stages, with Stage 0 being the most treatable, allowing for successful treatment without removing the breast. Agodirin advised women to undergo regular screening, monthly breast self-examinations, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and avoid smoking and excessive fatty foods. The Deputy Director of Nursing at UITH, Mrs Juliet Adeshina, highlighted the importance of early detection through self-examination, clinical examination, and diagnostic tests like ultrasound and mammography.

The First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, stressed the significance of early diagnosis in improving treatment outcomes and announced that patients with confirmed cancer diagnoses under the Kwara Health Insurance Agency would receive subsidized cancer medicines. Dr Ramat Yushau Abdulkadir, the convener of Pink Kwara 2026, shared her personal experience with breast cancer, emphasizing the need for increased awareness to encourage women to pay attention to breast changes and seek medical advice promptly.