Abstract
IntroductionThere is a substantial increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria usually with the late stage presentations and subsequent poor rates of survival attributed mainly to a low level of cancer awareness and ignorance amongst patients. Cancer information system (CIS) is now assuming an emerging role in this respect.MethodsThis was a descriptive study carried out over a one year period using a health communications program comprising of 3 breast help lines. An initial period of public awareness was carried out over a 3 months period after which members of the public were encouraged to call the help lines. Breast cancer information was provided and the socio-demographic characteristics and other relevant data of the callers were recorded by the information specialists.ResultsA total of 294 people were reached during the study period. Majority of the callers (82%) sought information for themselves while the remaining 18% called on behalf of a loved one or friend. Majority [248 (84.3%)] of callers had no breast abnormality, 38 (13%) called to report breast abnormalities and required information on what to do and 8 (2.7%) were breast cancer patients who required information on how to live and cope as breast cancer survivors.ConclusionThe rapid growth of mobile phone use in the Nigeria has presented a unique opportunity and promise to improve cancer care. There is evidence to suggest that mHealth can be used to deliver increased health care services to the increasing population of cancer patients in Nigeria.
Highlights
There is a substantial increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria usually with the late stage presentations and subsequent poor rates of survival attributed mainly to a low level of cancer awareness and ignorance amongst patients
More patients can be educated on their disease, linked to resources and referred to approved cancer centres and this will significantly reduce the number of patients treated by untrained health care professionals as providing accurate and timely cancer information should be a high priority
An initial period of awareness and sensitisation to cover the entire Lagos metropolitan was carried out in the print and electronic media over a 3 months period by the centre to intimate the public on the scourge of breast cancer and the availability of the breast help lines and means of access. During and after this period, members of the public were given access to our information specialists through the help lineswhich were accessible on weekdays between 10am and 4pm daily except on public holidays.The information specialists who responded to these calls were trained to answer questions, give talks on self-breast examination, counsel, refer and invite callers to the office for breast checks and other related services
Summary
There is a substantial increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria usually with the late stage presentations and subsequent poor rates of survival attributed mainly to a low level of cancer awareness and ignorance amongst patients. There is a substantial increase in the incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria [2] with a persistence of late stage presentations to the hospitals as seen in various hospital based series [3]. Late stage presentations are associated with poor survival rates and have been attributed to a low level of cancer awareness and ignorance amongst patients [3]. Mobile technologies are assuming an emerging role in this scenario This is true in care processes where the patient has a enhanced role, as is the case of cancer supportive care [4]. More patients can be educated on their disease, linked to resources and referred to approved cancer centres and this will significantly reduce the number of patients treated by untrained health care professionals as providing accurate and timely cancer information should be a high priority
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