General Surgery in Lagos
Breast Cancer
The signs, what causes it, and when to see a general surgery specialist in Lagos.
Signs to look for
Breast Cancer
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, often painless
- A change in the size or shape of a breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin, or skin like orange peel
- A nipple that has recently turned inward
- Bloodstained discharge from the nipple
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Nigerian women, and it is often found late, when it is harder to treat. Many women first notice a painless lump and wait, or try herbs, prayer or a pastor's oil, before seeing a doctor, often because they fear the diagnosis, the cost or losing the breast. Found early, breast cancer is very often curable. Treatment is planned by a team and usually combines surgery with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone tablets. Men can get breast cancer too, though it is uncommon.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, often painless
- A change in the size or shape of a breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin, or skin like orange peel
- A nipple that has recently turned inward
- Bloodstained discharge from the nipple
- A rash, crusting or sore on the nipple
- A breast that is red, swollen and hard all over
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor within two weeks for any new lump in the breast or armpit, at any age, and for nipple changes, bloodstained discharge or skin changes. Do not wait for pain: most breast cancers are painless. Go to hospital promptly if a breast becomes swollen, red and hard, if a wound on the breast will not heal, or if you have breast cancer and develop new back pain, weakness in the legs, breathlessness or confusion.
Treatment options
- Triple assessment: examination, mammogram or ultrasound, and a needle biopsy
- Receptor tests on the biopsy and staging scans to plan treatment
- Surgery: removing the lump (breast-conserving surgery) or the whole breast (mastectomy), with the armpit glands checked
- Chemotherapy, before or after surgery
- Radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery and for some mastectomies
- Hormone tablets for cancers that are hormone sensitive, often for five years or more
- Breast reconstruction, at the same time or later
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Will a biopsy or operation make the cancer spread?
No. This is one of the commonest reasons Nigerian women delay. A needle biopsy and a properly planned operation do not spread cancer. Delay is what lets it grow and spread.
Do I have to lose my breast?
Not always. Many early cancers are treated by removing the lump with a margin of healthy tissue, followed by radiotherapy. Larger cancers may need a mastectomy, and a new breast can often be made by a plastic surgeon.
Is breast cancer only for older women?
No. It is commoner with age, but in Nigeria it is often seen in women in their thirties and forties. A new lump at any age deserves a check.
Can herbs or prayer cure it?
Faith can support you, but no herb, cream or oil cures breast cancer, and time spent on them lets it grow. Treatment that has been tested works best when started early.
Need Help?
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General Surgery in Lagos →General Surgery in Abuja →General Surgery in Port Harcourt →General Surgery in Jos →General Surgery in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Breast cancer in women. NHS. Patient information.
- Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management (NG101). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.