Pink October: J&A Oben Foundation raises awareness on nutrition and breast cancer.

According to J&A Oben Foundation, the panel discussion was aimed at increasing awareness of breast cancer, its factors and warning signs; highlighting the importance of early detection and timely medical intervention; examining scientific evidence on the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle and breast cancer; addressing common misconceptions about food, prevention and treatment; and encouraging informed health decision among students, staff and the wider community.

The initiative also sought to “help participants better understand the relationship between nutrition and breast cancer, including how dietary habits and lifestyle may influence breast cancer risk”.

In his welcome address, the Co-Founder & President of J&A Oben Foundation, Prof Julius Oben, said breast cancer can be a frightening subject. 

“Sometimes, that fear makes it difficult to speak openly, ask questions or seek help. Financial pressures, uncertainty and concerns about what others might say can make the journey even harder,” he said.

He added that: “Our responsibility as a community is to make those conversations easier. We must create an environment in which seeking help is encouraged, asking questions is welcomed, and a diagnosis is met with compassion”.

“As someone whose professional life has been devoted to nutrition, I am particularly pleased that nutrition forms part of today's discussion. Nutrition is an important part of breast cancer prevention and supportive care and food is central to our daily lives and to how we care for one another. Eating a varied diet rich in plant foods, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and avoiding alcohol can help reduce risk. During treatment, adequate energy and protein help protect strength and improve nutritional status,” he disclosed.

Prof Oben appealed that: “Let us remember that people affected by cancer need support, not blame. Our words should offer dignity and encouragement. Our advice should help people find appropriate care”.

The first presentation was on: “Understanding Breast Cancer: Warning Signs and Early Detection”, delivered by Dr Nebah Vondou Sam, a gynecologist, who explained what breast cancer is all about and advised for regular breast cancer screening and detection. 

Early detection is essential

Meanwhile, Dr Sarah Adiang Mouelle, a Public Health Physician, Cancer Epidemiologist and Medical Oncologist, made a presentation on the topic “Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Recover”. She encouraged women to “know their breasts, to palpate their breasts once a month”. 

“For women who are already in menopause they should palpate their breasts once a month. For those not yet in menopause, they should do so two or three days after the end of menses. It is important in promoting early diagnosis, because during that palpation you can discover some breast mass or nodules, or you can even discover a change in the colour of your breast or your nipple. That is the first type of diagnosis,” she said.

She said women need to do a medical checkup once a year. 

“That checkup includes mammography for women above 45 years, and mammography and echography for women who are less than 45 years. Now, the fact that you palpate your breast and find nothing doesn't exclude the fact that another professional, a health professional, need to palpate your breast. This is because you palpating your breast is different from a medical doctor palpating your breast,” Dr Sarah Adiang said. 

On her part, Suzy Anne Obi, Registered Nurse and Nutritionist did a presentation on “Nutrition, Lifestyle and Breast Cancer Risk”. She said food plays a role in body processes that can influence risk factors of breast cancer. Some of the foods she recommended to reduce risks of breast cancer included vegetables and fruits, while grains and whole foods, healthy protein sources and animal-based proteins like chicken and eggs. She said processed food should be limited. 

She insisted on the eating of the ‘rainbow’: red, orange, green and purple. Suzy Anne Obi also advised against alcohol consumption, recommended the drinking of a lot of water as opposed to sugary juice.

“Healthy diet is very important in preventing breast cancer. But nutrition does not replace early detection,” she said. 

The nutritionist also proposed regular physical activities and maintaining healthy body weight . The event also featured a testimony and experience-sharing by a breast cancer survivor.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3951 of Monday October 26, 2026