�Itse mabele a gago�
Correspondent | Friday October 9, 2015 16:03
October is set aside by the world community to educate the public on the prevention and control of breast cancer as well as draw attention to the burden of breast cancer.
This year Botswana is commemorating this event under a very distinctive theme, ‘itse mabele a gago’ or ‘know your breasts’. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a sustained campaign to keep reminding the public on the importance of taking every measure to prevent breast cancer in Botswana.
Ladies and gentlemen, breast cancer continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality the world over and is the number one cancer in women globally. In 2012 the world saw a 20 percent increase in breast cancer incidence. Of concern is that 50 percent of the incidence and 58 percent of mortality happen in developing countries.
In Botswana, from 2003 to 2007, breast cancer was the third leading cancer affecting women, contributing 15.4 percent to the total new cancer cases diagnosed. Recent data from the Botswana National Cancer Registry indicates that it is now the second most common cancer-affecting women. In the period 2008-2012, over 625 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, contributing up to 16.3 percent to the total cancer cases diagnosed in the same period among women. Sadly 63 percent of the cases were diagnosed at later stages where very little could have been done to save these women’s lives.
Up to 15 percent of the women diagnosed in the same period have already lost their battle to breast cancer. This mortality is indeed too high and calls for interventions to reduce it.
Globalisation and adoption of risky behaviour such as obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use and increase in life expectancy are attributed to the sharp increase in cancers including breast cancer.
However, in identifying early signs of breast cancer, the communities mainly attribute deaths due to breast cancer in developing countries to lack of knowledge.
The incidence of breast cancer, like other Non-Communicable Diseases can be reduced by as much as 25 percent by our deliberate adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Early screening and proper case management can improve the survival by up to 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer. This is why this campaign, ‘itse mabele a gago/know your breast’ is critical in increasing awareness and education amongst communities on the need for screening and for early detection of breast cancer. As we strive to strengthen the health care system, the community needs to be empowered so that the country responds effectively to this disease, which is increasing at an alarming rate.
The Ministry of Health is dedicated to reducing the incidence of cancer and the associated morbidity and mortality. Currently, 25-health workers have been trained to provide this number to ensure effective spread of the services across the country.
The launch of ‘itse mabele a gago’ therefore is one step of the many interventions that will follow in order to improve the cancer outcome among Batswana. Let me, however, emphasise the importance of always taking our health as our own responsibility both as individuals and communities. Its only when we appreciate this fact that uptake of health services by the Ministry of Health will yield better health outcomes amongst communities.
Ladies and gentlemen, as I conclude, let me remind you that there are individuals who have survived breast cancer and we should recognise them as living testimonies that there is life after breast cancer and their stories must be heard, especially from the heroes and heroines themselves.
For those who are newly diagnosed, there is comfort in knowing that others have already walked the path before them and have conquered breast cancer. Let it be part of our mission to enable women to empower each other by sharing their stories, knowledge and experience. Many women facing cancer diagnosis describe the importance of finding someone ‘just like them’. Finally, ladies and gentlemen breast cancer need not kill: Know your breast-Itse mabele a gago. Take action to seek early intervention for early diagnosis and treatment.
*Leburu is the Ministry of Health’s deputy director of public health. She gave this speech yesterday in Selebi Phikwe to mark the official start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Veronica Leburu*