Breast Cancer: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as breast lump, breast tumour.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Nigerian women, and it is most curable when found early — yet many women present late, after months of watching a painless lump. Most breast lumps are NOT cancer, but every new lump deserves prompt examination. Know your breasts, check them monthly, and never let fear delay a check.
Symptoms
A new lump in the breast or armpit, usually painless
Change in breast size or shape
Dimpling or puckering of the skin (like orange peel)
Nipple turning inward or changing direction
Blood-stained nipple discharge
Persistent rash or sore around the nipple
Swelling or warmth of the breast
Causes & risk factors
Increasing age
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Early periods, late menopause or late first pregnancy
Obesity and alcohol use
Inherited gene changes in some families
Treatment & self-care
Diagnosis uses clinical examination, imaging and a needle biopsy — a biopsy does not spread cancer, a persistent myth that costs lives. Treatment is planned by a specialist team and may combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone-blocking tablets, with cure rates highest in early stages. Monthly self-examination and prompt review of any change are the habits that save lives.
See a doctor urgently if
Any new breast or armpit lump — within days, not months
Nipple discharge containing blood
Skin dimpling, nipple inversion or a persistent nipple rash
A lump in a man's breast (men get breast cancer too)
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Breast Cancer?
Early signs often include a new lump in the breast or armpit, usually painless, change in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin (like orange peel). Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Breast Cancer be treated?
Diagnosis uses clinical examination, imaging and a needle biopsy — a biopsy does not spread cancer, a persistent myth that costs lives. Treatment is planned by a specialist team and may combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone-blocking tablets, with cure rates highest in early stages. Monthly self-examination and prompt review of any change are the habits that save lives.
When should I see a doctor about Breast Cancer?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: any new breast or armpit lump — within days, not months; nipple discharge containing blood; skin dimpling, nipple inversion or a persistent nipple rash; a lump in a man's breast (men get breast cancer too).