Every year, the month of October is dedicated to raising awareness for breast cancer. Also known as ‘Pink October’, the global health campaign, organised by prominent breast cancer charities, aims to enhance knowledge about the disease and generate funds for research related to its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

The Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) — a non-profit organisation focused on raising awareness about breast cancer and providing support to individuals affected by the disease in East Africa —has organised Ulinzi, a breast cancer awareness walk, as a way to acknowledge prevention mechanisms of the killer disease and the most common cancer in the world.

ALSO READ: Breast cancer deserves more than a month

The walk will collaborate with Car-free Day on Sunday, October 15, starting at 7 am at the BK Arena, and concluding at Green Hills Academy.

ALSO READ: Breast cancer: Early detection is the best protection

According to Philippa Kibugu-Decuir, the founder of BCIEA, activities such as screening, counselling, and sharing information and education about breast cancer will be shared with the public after the walk.

"This walk is a remembrance of my sister whom I lost due to breast cancer. I urge everyone to take time and check themselves for breast cancer as early detection saves life. Patients whose cancer is detected early possess a higher chance of cured disease, complete recovery, increased quality of life and longevity,” she said.

Kibugu-Decuir also noted that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the number one cancer in Rwanda, stressing that it is everybody’s responsibility to take part in the fight against the disease.

ALSO READ: Why breast cancer being no.1 diagnosed cancer globally is sweet-bitter news for activist

Kibugu-Decuir explained that what comes to her mind about October is to think of this year’s theme, ‘Why do I walk?’

"I walk for my sister Mabel who can longer smell the flowers and everyone like her because of breast cancer. I walk for me to "never give up” on the fight against breast cancer, and I also walk for everyone to join me, for together we are strong as advocates, volunteers, and donors,” she said.

She mentioned three key things to ponder on, "ikunde” which means love yourself, "imenye”, know yourself and "isuzumishe”, go for check-up.

"Please don’t leave your kids behind. Let’s catch them young and teach them social responsibility. No one should be left behind, young or old. In raising awareness about breast cancer every step counts.”

She believes that knowledge is power that liberates people from ignorance, poverty, and disease, noting that empowered people take charge of themselves, their health, and life.

Ulinzi Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, educating the public on symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and the importance of early detection. "Join us in supporting advocacy programmes, research, treatment, and survivorship initiatives.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths globally.

As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer. Nevertheless, when found early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured, WHO states.