Intensify sensitisation on early screening and testing for breast cancer

The Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) Inc; in partnership with Rwanda Mid Wives Association has launched a nationwide campaign to raise funds for treatment of breast cancer patients.The money raised will be channeled through a special fund set up to help meet medical expenses for the most vulnerable people suffering from breast cancer. The initiative is a good move. Breast cancer is among the most common cancer among women. However like the common adage goes, prevention is better than cure. As this campaign rolls out, emphasis should also be placed on prevention and early detection.Rwandans should be urged to regularly seek early cancer tests. Research shows that ninety per cent of cancer diseases are preventable through reduction of the consumption of fatty food. Eat fruits, vegetables, avoid cigarettes and too much alcohol but, most importantly, do exercises. Also if detected early cancer can be treated and cured. Rwandans should also change the perception that suffering from breast cancer is like a death sentence. The approach to breast cancer awareness should take a holistic approach. As focus is being put into raising funds for those already affected, the prevention awareness approach should equally be intensified. All stakeholders should take it up as a responsibility to educate and sensitise the masses on cancer prevention and early testing. Knowledge is power. This means that accessing the information, will enable many to go for regular checkups. If detected early, many of the cancer cases can be treated. We have people who are survivors of cancer, simply because the cancer was detected in its early stages and treated. The difference between cancer survivors and those who never survived is the early testing and treatment. So if you have not tested for breast cancer, please do it as soon as possible. Government alone cannot undertake this initiative. As individuals it should be our responsibility to contribute to this noble cause.

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Intensify sensitisation on early screening and testing for breast cancer