Saving the breasts of Nigerian breast cancer patients: Prospects of breast-conserving therapy in Nigeria

Abstract

Breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is the most common surgical treatment for breast cancer in high-income countries. In Nigeria and many other low-middle income countries, total mastectomy remains the mainstay. This often results in several women facing numerous psychosocial challenges associated with the removal of their breasts. This paper highlights the limitations and prospects of BCT in Nigeria. Increased community awareness aimed at promoting early presentation, more liberal use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, introduction of multidisciplinary team meetings, availability of other relevant support services and improved access to radiotherapy are key factors needed to change the current narrative. Nigeria, with its huge population of affected and at-risk women, needs to intensify the drive towards de-escalating breast cancer surgery. These measures have the potential of saving lives and preserving the quality of life of affected women.