A Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, Dr Temitope Olatunji, has identified early presentation and adequate funds for appropriate treatment as key factors to the survival of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
Olatunji, of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, disclosed this in Ota, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
According to her, if a patient presents early and the finances with every other thing are in place for the appropriate treatment, the chance of survival is about 99 per cent.
“But it is a different thing when a patient presents early and there are absolutely no funds for treatment, the chance of survival is slim,” she said.
The oncologist explained that only palliative treatment would be given to patients presenting at stage four, which is the uncurable stage.
She noted that there were different types of breast cancers, and their lines of management may be different, thus necessitating the appropriate treatment.
Olatunji said early presentation, spot diagnosis and early treatment had made it possible to have patients survive for 5, 10 and 20 years, depending on the stage of presentation.
According to her, the cost of breast cancer therapy runs to about N2 million, and when subsidised by the Federal Government (FG), the patient still needs about N1 million for treatment.
While commending the FG for subsidising drugs, she called for more to be done to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
She emphasised the need for the government to continue with advocacy and social media enlightenment to make the public appreciate the reality of the deadly condition.
“Public enlightenment can’t be enough as there are still some people who are still ignorant of cancer,” she said.
The oncologist, however, said in the last few years, the influx of patients had increased, thereby, increasing the workload.
