Free Breast Cancer Screening, a Must

Information by Run for a Cure Africa Cameroon indicates that cancer is a threat, and the probability of breast cancer is higher among women in the country. Besides diet, the most causes are lack of awareness, education, information dissemination, and early diagnosis.

The President of Run for a Cure Africa Cameroon, Virginie Bopda Kontchou, made the disclosure during a news conference to announce her association's campaign against breast cancer in Akwa July 3. Run for Africa Cameroon will conduct free cancer prescreening, screening and biopsy for women in Douala from July 7-12. The health campaign, dubbed "Think Pink," which is in its third edition this year will witness prescreening at the association's headquarters at the Cafrad building in Bépanda, Douala, from July 7-9, followed by mammography tests and radiology.

In Cameroon, one out of 50 women is liable to suffer from breast cancer during her lifetime, according to Virginie Bopda Kontchou. She revealed that the probability of breast cancer in women of below 35 years is 5 per cent, 35 to 55 years 20 per cent, 55 to 70 years 15 per cent and 70 and above 10 per cent.

The campaign targets women of these age groups; the vision is to turn 80 per cent of breast cancer mortality rate into 80 per cent breast cancer survival rate, while creating a greater awareness of breast cancer to erase societal stigmas. Breast cancer does also occur in men but the rate is less than one per cent which is negligible, and reason why the campaign targets only women.

In 2013, the association had in place a medical team of 12 doctors who prescreened 484 women; screened 158 and 26 did biopsy. Three were diagnosed with breast cancer, all this with generous financial contributions from individuals and companies. It is expected that the number will increase this year.

The week will be marked by a sensitisation walk to start at the Parcours Vita in Makepe on July 7 at 7 am. The objective is to disseminate information on prevention through consuming balanced diets, fruits, vegetables, regularly do sports, screen for cancer, be informed about the disease in order to ensure early diagnosis will be disclosed in detail.

Nzouatom Melanie Françoise, medical doctor, blames breast cancer on obesity; alcoholism; environment, for example, pesticides or colourants, and the consumption of food stored in plastic bags.