What Are These Cancers?
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are responsible for more cancer deaths in Nigerian women than any other type of cancer. Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast tissue begin to grow and multiply abnormally. Left unchecked, these cells can form a lump, spread to nearby lymph nodes, and eventually travel to distant organs. Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix — the lower, narrow end of the womb — and is driven almost entirely by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is passed on through sexual contact. Both cancers are largely preventable. Both are highly curable when found early. And both are routinely found too late in Nigeria because women do not know what to look for, do not have access to screening, or delay seeking help out of fear.
Who Is Most at Risk?
- Breast cancer: women over 40, those with a mother or sister who had breast cancer, women who have never breastfed, those who started periods early or reached menopause late, women who are overweight or drink alcohol regularly
- Breast cancer: in Nigeria, younger women in their 30s are increasingly being diagnosed — do not assume you are too young
- Cervical cancer: women who became sexually active at a young age, those with multiple sexual partners, women with HIV (weakened immune system), heavy smokers, and women who have never had a Pap smear
- Both cancers: living in areas without access to screening — which describes most of rural and peri-urban Nigeria
Signs You Must Not Ignore
- A new lump or thickening anywhere in the breast or armpit
- Change in the size or shape of one breast
- Skin dimpling, puckering, or a rash on the breast that looks like orange peel
- Nipple pulling inward when it has not done that before
- Any discharge from the nipple — especially if it contains blood
- Unusual vaginal bleeding: after sex, between periods, or after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that is heavier than normal, smells unusual, or is mixed with blood
- Pain in the lower back or pelvis that will not go away (a late sign — do not wait for this)
- Critical: early cervical cancer almost always has NO symptoms. This is exactly why the Pap smear exists.
The Nigerian Reality — Why Women Present Late
In Nigerian hospitals, a significant proportion of breast and cervical cancer patients arrive with stage III or stage IV disease — meaning the cancer has already spread far beyond where it started. The reasons are well documented: lack of awareness, fear of what a diagnosis might mean, financial barriers to hospital visits, reliance on prayer and herbal remedies in the early weeks and months, and a healthcare system in which screening is not routinely offered or accessible. A woman may notice a lump and wait six months before acting because she is afraid, because she cannot afford transport, or because a family member told her it was probably nothing. By the time she arrives at a teaching hospital, a curable cancer has become a very difficult one. This pattern must change — and it starts with knowledge.
Prevention — What You Can Actually Do
- Examine your breasts every month — the best time is a few days after your period ends. Stand in front of a mirror, look for any changes, then lie down and feel each breast and armpit with your fingers in small circular motions
- Get a clinical breast examination by a healthcare worker annually from age 40, or from age 30 if you have a family history
- Ask about the HPV vaccine for your daughters — ideally given between ages 9 and 14, before sexual activity begins. It prevents up to 90% of cervical cancers
- Get a Pap smear — every three years from age 21 onwards, or annually if you are HIV-positive
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity after menopause significantly increases breast cancer risk
- Breastfeed if you are able — breastfeeding is protective against breast cancer
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
When to See a Doctor — Do Not Wait
Any new lump in the breast should be seen by a doctor within one week — not in three months when it is convenient, not after trying a herb, and not after asking neighbours for opinions. Not every lump is cancer, but every lump needs a professional assessment. Similarly, any unusual vaginal bleeding deserves a medical evaluation promptly. Nigerian women deserve to know that a proper clinical breast examination takes less than 10 minutes, that a Pap smear is not painful, and that catching these cancers early changes everything.
How Doc on Wheels Can Help
You can speak to a doctor through the Doc on Wheels hotline from wherever you are. Our doctors can listen to your concerns about a breast lump, unusual bleeding, or any other symptom and advise you on the right next step — including where to go, what test to ask for, and how urgently you need to be seen. Lab tests that are part of the diagnostic workup can be arranged at your home. If you have been putting off investigating a concern because you are not sure what to do or where to go, start here.