Breast cancer kills more than HIV/AIDS

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 27, 2009 00:00

'Therefore, we need to encourage prevention and early detection in order to lower these statistics to acceptable levels,' Julia Bindonde said at the Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Gaborone on Saturday. She stated that in Botswana, cancer of the breast is the second most common type of the disease and usually it is detected in its last stages.

She encouraged women to make use of the services offered by Reach for Recovery, a support group of breast cancer survivors. She advised women to go for screening, self-examination and free counselling provided by a centre established by the group. She said that 50% of patients survive if cancer is detected early.

She said members of the group visit cancer patients at their homes and provide them with emotional and spiritual support. 'This allows for a process whereby cancer victims transform to cancer survivors through active, optimistic and healthy outlook and lifestyle,' she added.

She said that cancer is an ever increasing challenge in Botswana though the support services are not funded by the government. Hence this makes community initiatives under groups like Reach for Recovery very important to the education, care and support of people affected by cancer in the country.

Leungo Motshedisi, a breast cancer survivor said she has received a lot of support from Reach for Recovery members and family. 'Cancer is not a joke, treatment is very agonising and one needs a lot of support from everybody, especially other survivors. One needs courage and determination to get through. I encourage other women to seek help and join the programme,' she said.