Although there are no statistics on the prevalence of breast cancer in the country, cases of breast cancer are said be on the increase in Rwanda. According to the division in charge of fighting Non Communicable Diseases at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), since 2009 the cases have increased.Dr Leonard Kayonde, Director of Cancer Diseases Unit said though the prevalence of breast cancer is still unknown, there are cases that have been reported, and documented.“There 66 cases in 2009, 79 cases were reported; in 2010 and 103 cases of breast cancer were recorded in 2011,” he said. Medics have not established the real cause of cancer but there are risk factors that cannot be prevented; aging, genetic risk factors (inherited), family history, personal history and menstrual cycle, among others.However, there are lifestyle risks which individuals can avoid in order to prevent breast cancer like oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol use, obesity, high fat diets, physical inactivity, and smoking among others.Oda Nsabimana a cancer survivor and a mother of four had the risk factor of age but up to now she is not aware of what caused breast cancer.“By then I was 41 years of age and I had stopped breast feeding my baby five months ago. I touched my breast and I felt a small swelling, I immediately had to visit the doctor,” she said adding the subsequent test proved she had the disease.The world has dedicated October as month for cancer awareness and several activities are being done in different parts of the world.In Rwanda, in observance of the month, awareness/fund raising event has been organised for Sunday, October 28, a walk aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer. “Ulinzi Walk” has been also organised on the same day to be followed by discussions, breast self examination demonstration, and health exercises.“In regards with screening we carry out Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) performed by community health workers, and other providers, primarily at the health centre level,” said Kayonde, explaining the purpose of the campaign.
