SHOW NOTES
We continue our conversation on breast cancer awareness. In this episode, Gwendolyn Ngu joins us again, this time with two other special guests; another breast cancer survivor and a medical doctor. We dive deeper into the topic of breast cancer with greater emphasis on the science. Akwi Tah also shares her gruesome journey battling cancer while Dr Munoh, an oncologist, gives us more insight into the disease from a medical perspective. You will learn a lot about Breast cancer in this episode; the different types that exist and how they are classified, the causes, genetic features, etc. You will also learn about different treatment options and the future of treatment in general.
[00:01- 02: 02] Opening segment
[02:03 – 08:30] Introduction of Topic and Guests
- An overview of breast cancer
- Important facts and statistics
- Prognosis and prevalence in Africa
[08:31 – 12:30] Breast cancer and race
- Prevalence of breast cancer in black women vs white women
- Some statistics
- Prognosis in black women compared to other races
- The case for black women in Africa
[12:31 – 17: 30] Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Screening
- Diagnosis
[17: 31 – 23:20] Preventive Care
- Cancer risks
- Medical recommendations
- Common screening practices
- Genetics and family history
[23:21 – 30:30] Akwi Tah’s Breast Cancer Story
- Getting diagnosed
- Getting the news of a cancer diagnosis
- Dealing with the knowledge of her new health status
- Her treatment process
[30:31 – 35: 22] Revisiting Gwendolyn’s Story
- Getting diagnosed
- Difference between her case and Akwi’s case
- Her treatment process
[35:23 – 46: 40] Classification of Breast Cancers
- Dr Munoh reacts to both Cancer stories
- The role of patients in diagnosis and treatment
- Kinds of breast cancer
- History of cancer treatments
- Scientific progress and evolution
- Treatment options
[46: 41 – 54: 10] Breast Cancer/Cancer treatment in Cameroon and Africa
- The healthcare system for cancer
- Availability of cancer treatment specialists
[54: 11- END] Breast Cancer in Men
- Prevalence
- Classifications
- Treatment
Part 3 to come
Quotable Tweets
“Breast cancer is actually the most prevalent cancer in women and at any given time, there are about 8 million women living with breast cancer in the world. With advancements in science, a lot of those women are getting to live with breast cancer and survive with breast cancer.” – Dr Munoh Foma
“The prevalence of breast cancer is a bit skewed in African because we have problems with screening. From all the history we know about cancers till date show that that if we start screening for cancers early, we will catch them early and we are going to be able to cure them early. So public health education and screening is so important.” – Dr Munoh Foma
“Breast cancer is slightly more prevalent in black women below the age of 50 years. Black women tend to have it early, they tend to have the more sever forms of it and also tend to to not respond to treatment as much as women from other races. After the age of 50 or 60, the prevalence is the same amongst black and white women.“ – Dr Munoh Foma
“It is very common for us physicians to actually downplay the symptoms of patients especially if we are dealing with situations we are not used to. That is why I always say patients should be their own advocate. At times you would have something that no one else knows about and you will know about it better than your doctor because there are so many diseases out there.” – Dr Munoh Foma
You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or send us an email at hello@livingafricanpodcast.com. Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more.
Contact Akwi Tah:
Instagram – DARE TO LIVE WITH ANJOH
Facebook – Akwi ANJOH
Website – www.daretolivewithanjoh.org and via WhatsApp 9802728050.
Contact Dr Foma:
Dr Foma Munoh Kenne, MD, MPH
Richmond University Medical
Center for Cancer Care
1000 South Ave.
Office Tel: (718) 816-4949
Fmunohkenne@runcsi.org
Staten Island, NY, 10314
Contact Gwendolyn Ngu:
Facebook: Royal_warriorr
Instagram: royal warrior cancer support
Web: www.royalwarrior.org
Email: info@royalwarrior.org
You can connect with Anyoh on: Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).