Chinedum Treasure
The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), Anambra State Chapter, has debunked the misconception that women with larger breasts are more susceptible to breast cancer, urging Nigerians to embrace regular medical checks and evidence-based cancer prevention practices.
The forum also announced plans to provide free cervical cancer screening for female lawyers as part of efforts to promote early detection and improve access to preventive healthcare.
The NBAWF Branch Facilitator in Awka, Obianuju Nwakpadolu, made the disclosure during a health awareness walk organised by the forum in Awka to promote cancer awareness and healthy living.
“There is this myth people always hold on to: that people with big breasts are prone to breast cancer than people with smaller breasts. It’s not true. It’s a fallacy. It is not proven medically, and it is not true,” she said.
Nwakpadolu urged women to seek reliable medical information, undergo appropriate screening and consult healthcare professionals whenever they notice unusual changes in their breasts.
She emphasised that early detection was essential to improving treatment outcomes, adding that women should not allow misconceptions or fear to prevent them from seeking medical attention.
“This is our cancer awareness month, and part of our activity at NBA Women Forum is to let us know the importance of getting ourselves checked early. Like they always say, early detection leads to early treatment,” she said.
Nwakpadolu explained that the awareness walk was part of the forum’s activities to educate the public about cancer prevention, screening and the importance of maintaining good health.
She also highlighted the need for women to undergo appropriate cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests, and obtain information about vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer.
According to her, the forum’s planned free screening exercise would be open to female lawyers beyond the Awka Branch, underscoring its commitment to making preventive healthcare more accessible.
She called on government to strengthen investment in affordable screening services and cancer prevention programmes to enable more Nigerians to access essential healthcare.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch, Nnamdi Raphael Anagor, also urged Nigerians to take cancer prevention seriously, particularly men who may be at risk of prostate cancer.
Anagor said the health awareness walk followed health talks and lectures organised by the forum the previous Saturday.
“This is Cancer Awareness Month, and part of what we are doing here is to commemorate the week. We started long ago from last Saturday with talks and lectures, and today we are continuing with a health fitness walk for the same purpose,” he said.
He urged men to pay greater attention to prostate health and seek professional medical advice on appropriate screening, particularly as they grow older.
“Most importantly, with us men, every man, every living man has a prostate gland, and that is what we want all of us to know and be conscious of,” Anagor said.
He also encouraged Nigerians to embrace regular physical activity, noting that exercise contributes to overall health and can help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
“Exercise is key. It reduces the chances of getting cancer both in male and female. So we encourage all and sundry to engage in walk,” he said.
October is widely observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with campaigns during the period focusing on public education, early detection, access to screening and support for people affected by the disease.
Cancer awareness initiatives also help address misinformation, encourage timely medical consultations and promote preventive measures, including HPV vaccination and appropriate screening.
The NBA Women Forum’s campaign reinforces the need for sustained public education, accessible healthcare services and evidence-based information to help Nigerians make informed decisions about their health.
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