Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Breast cancer can occur in women and rarely in men. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. Treatment depends on the cancer stage and may comprise chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Studies show that Africa currently shoulders the highest age-standardised breast cancer mortality rate globally, with the highest incident rates recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. Low levels of awareness and limited access to diagnostic and therapeutic options are contributory factors. This is especially the case in Cameroon and the Northwest Region, where most women with breast cancer only show up in health facilities at an advanced stage of the disease with complications.
The international community commemorates October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). The Nkwen Baptist Hospital (NBH) joined this campaign with a week-long series of activities from October 24 – 30, 2021, including raising awareness and promoting screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer among girls and women of reproductive age in Bamenda and its environs.
Against this backdrop, clinicians at NBH conducted health talks in the hospital, secondary schools, Churches, and Radio Stations. Also, they distributed digital flyers carrying information on self-breast examination and breast cancer warning signs on social media, demonstrated self-examination and screened for breasts cancer, free of charge.
The awareness campaign ended on Saturday, October 30, with a Health Walk around the Baptist Center premises brandishing placards with breast cancer awareness messages. Individuals and groups, including Lourdes Ex-Students Association (LESA)-Douala, provided financial and material support for this campaign
