BY Yinka Olaito
Whaat? I know some women will exclaim at that headline. why some men will be silavating secretly. Yes I also know the notion will make some men to pray silently such day will come. ‘Boobie’is the nick name for breast. So those who silently wish for no no bra Day. Today is International ‘No Bra day’.
In fact one keeps wondering what makes some men go haywire at he sight of a woman’s breast? Is it not just a flesh like any other part of a woman’s body with the function to store milk which nurtures a new life? Some men have also argued it is the most attractive part of women’ s body and a ‘holy’ place to visit regularly for sexual immersion.
Anyway that is not the essence of this piece. Year in year out there is a lot of misconceptions about the essence of No bra day. National No Bra Day is not for women to go around without a brassiere. As we know, October is a month for breast cancer awareness. Though the origin of ‘No Bra Day’ is still controversial but the celebration had started since October 13, 2011. This year’s celebration makes it five years. The issue of breast cancer is a major global concern.
According to World Health Organization breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide. While it has also been noted that there seems to be increase in the rate of the disease in developing Countries where majority of the cases are diagonized at the last stage,it occurrence had been more prominent in the developed world. World Cancer Research Fund maintained Belgium had the highest rate of breast cancer, followed by Denmark and France. Experts had said one in 25 of Nigerian Women now dies of Cancer.
It is still on record that the lowest incidence are in Asia and Africa. The differences in the rate breast cancer incidence between developed and developing countries is traceable to adoption of western life- style in low income countries , dietary effects combined with later first childbirth, lower parity, and shorter breastfeeding. There is an increase in survivor rate around the world if it is diagnosed early. So early detection is a major key to improve breast cancer survivor outcome.
The more we can increase the rate of survivor the better. According to World Health Organization statistics about survival rate vary worldwide ranging from 80% or over in North America, Sweden and Japan to around 60% in middle-income countries and below 40% in low-income countries With breakthroughs in medical fields, survival rate is increasing.
About 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly while 12,000 every year in the UK. But the low survival rates in less developed countries can be explained mainly by the lack of early detection programmes, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting with late-stage.
According to World Health organization, It is estimated that worldwide over 508 000 women died in 2011 due to breast cancer.
Preventing and control of breast cancer may be an easy task. First we must understand understand the risk factors. It is on record the risks factors varies. Some have talked of mutations particularly in BRCA1, BRCA2 . However, these mutations are rare and account for a small portion of the total breast cancer burden. Another factor researchers have identified is reproductive factors associated with prolonged exposure to endogenous estrogens, such as early menarche, late menopause, late age at first childbirth are among the most important risk factors for breast cancer.
Preventing cancer may begin with a simple step of constant breast examination. Some have also suggested being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. Also watch the kind of life style you live. Excessive adherence to wetern -style-life may hurt.
So whatever you do, the best way to help fight cancer is keep an eye on your own breast and create greater awareness about this evil killer disease. October 14 is also set aside as the ‘Big pink day’. The essence is to wear pink, organize events and help raise money. Nigeria government also needs to help our women by investing more or cancer diagnostic centres around the nation. As Individual, you can step up conversation on the digital media using #NoBraDay. You will still be helping to safe a life that way. Some have also suggested wearing white t-shirt is also great. But if if you wish to set your breast free, you can join the childish 24-hour our set breast free campaign. By whatever means, get involved as we must make our world cancer free.
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