National campaign for early detection of breast cancer
LIBYA – The Libyan Cancer Control Union has launched its national awareness campaign for the early detection of breast cancer for the 16th consecutive year, coinciding with “Pink October” events, with around 1,200 volunteers taking part across the east, west and south of the country.
Unified scientific material and wide-ranging awareness activities
Asma Al-Sabri, a board member of the Libyan Cancer Control Union, said by phone on a news bulletin of Libya Al-Ahrar TV, which broadcasts from Turkey and was followed by Al-Marsad, that the campaign uses a unified approach, scientific material and leaflets, and aims to reach as many people as possible through awareness lectures, workshops, scientific forums and seminars in government ministries, public institutions, schools and Quran memorisation centres.
She pointed to a marked rise in awareness among women and girls, citing the large and continuing turnout at health centres and early detection centres across the country.
Risk factors linked to age, lifestyle and heredity
Al-Sabri highlighted a number of risk factors that she said people should watch for, chief among them hormonal and physiological factors, including early puberty before the age of 13 and late menopause after the age of 55.
She added that lifestyle and dietary factors include lack of exercise, rising obesity rates and an unhealthy diet that includes fast food, processed and frozen meats, and preservatives.
Among medication-related and genetic factors, she cited irregular or unregulated use of contraceptive pills and a history of the disease among first-degree relatives.
She noted that breast cancer affects both men and women, although women are more at risk.
Survey of 35,000 women
On this year’s plan, Al-Sabri said the union had drawn on the results of a survey of 35,000 women across Libya, carried out last year with the Centre for Disease Control using electronic and manual methods.
She said the results showed that “lack of physical activity and the absence of healthy eating” were the most widespread risk factors, which led the current campaign to focus mainly on raising awareness of these two factors.
Early detection and recovery rates
Al-Sabri stressed that regular early screening raises recovery rates to 98%, according to her, while sparing patients and society from side effects as well as psychological, personal and economic complications.
Awareness and screening stages by age
She outlined the medical recommendations and target age groups, explaining that awareness and health education begin at preparatory school and regular self-examination from the age of 18 to 20, with health complexes and centres, clinics and public hospitals available throughout the year.
She added that ultrasound screening starts from the age of 35, while an annual mammogram is recommended on a regular basis from the age of 40.
Symptoms that require seeing a specialist
Al-Sabri stressed the need to see a specialist immediately on noticing a sudden change in the size of one or both breasts, a change in colour or shape, lumps on the surface of the breast, abnormal discharge from the nipple, or a swelling or lump under the armpit or in the chest area.
She said that seeking an early diagnosis as soon as any changes appear prevents complications of the disease, by her account, in 95% to 98% of cases.
