Expert Lists Alcohol, Junk Food, Sedentary Lifestyle as Key Breast Cancer Risks

A senior lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr. Muhammad Habeebu, has warned that excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary living, and frequent intake of junk food are major lifestyle factors increasing the risk of breast cancer, especially among women.

Dr. Habeebu, who is also a consultant radiation and clinical oncologist and the chief clinical coordinator at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, stated that while gender remains the strongest risk factor — with about 99 per cent of breast cancer cases occurring in women — lifestyle choices play a significant role in determining vulnerability.

“The older a woman is, the higher the risk,” he said, noting that Black women tend to develop breast cancer earlier than their Caucasian counterparts.

He further explained that the use of hormonal contraceptives, late childbirth, and failure to breastfeed can elevate the risk of developing the disease.

“Women who have their first child before age 25 are less likely to develop breast cancer, and breastfeeding provides significant protection,” he said.

On the genetic aspect, Dr. Habeebu noted that hereditary mutations — particularly in the BRCA gene — could predispose entire families to the disease. He added that while men represent about one per cent of breast cancer cases, they share similar genetic risk factors.

The oncologist stressed that prevention and early detection remain the most effective defence strategies. He advised women to:

• Maintain healthy lifestyles
• Limit alcohol intake
• Avoid fatty and processed foods
• Engage in regular physical exercise

“Women should perform self-breast examinations, go for clinical check-ups every six months, and undertake mammogram or ultrasound screenings when necessary,” he advised.

‘Herbal Remedies Unproven’

Dr. Habeebu cautioned against relying on herbal treatments, noting that fear of chemotherapy and misinformation often make patients delay seeking professional help.

“Herbal remedies have not been scientifically proven to cure cancer,” he warned. “Early medical attention greatly improves survival chances.”

He acknowledged that access to treatment remains a challenge in Nigeria due to high costs, despite initiatives such as the Cancer Health Fund and the CAP programme aimed at improving affordability.

Concluding, he urged Nigerians to embrace regular screening and lifestyle adjustments, emphasizing that:

“Exercise helps prevent not just cancer but also hypertension and diabetes.”