An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the management of breast cancer in Dambam Local Government, Bauchi State

Abstract

Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells, typically originating from a single mutated cell. The cells have lost normal control mechanisms and thus can multiply continuously, invade nearby tissues, migrate to distant parts of the body, and promote the growth of new blood vessels from which the cells derive nutrients. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in men and women, respectively, both overall and in less developed countries, however, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. To conduct and document the traditional knowledge and usage held by different communities regarding using medicinal plants for managing breast cancer. Materials and methods: semi-structured questionnaires were used to discover the practice of traditional medicine using plants, and the data collected was imputed into a statistical package for social science to analyze the results. Results: The results revealed that most respondents were married 89.2%, with a 60% age range between 30-50 years, and most of their tribes are Hausa/Fulani with 98%. The results revealed that 24 plants are used for managing breast cancer in the locality, with Taura, kriya, Ararrabi, Sabara, Janyaro, Majamfari, Danya, and Bindazugu are the most commonly used in the management of breast cancer, method of preservation was mostly shed drying with 58% and stored in the container, route of administration usually oral with 92% and 8% topical. Conclusion: An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in managing breast cancer was conducted in Damabm LGA using semi semi-structured questionnaire.