Refocusing the pink ribbon to beat breast cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2017 is being marked globally amid a myriad of challenges. Statistics from the World Cancer Research Fund International indicate that in 2012, breast cancer, which represents 12% of all new cases and 25% of all cancers in women, is the fifth most common cause of  death among women, with life events suspected to be key  risk factors: a first pregnancy after age 30, not bearing children and late natural menopause.

With a high poverty index in Kenya, coupled with less than 15 mammogram machines, women from low income settlements are more likely to suffer due to high costs. Yet, it is the single most important and accurate way of detecting early breast cancer, hence they suffer the most.

Various organisations in Kenya are spearheading efforts to alleviate conditions likely to expose women to breast cancer: Kenya Breast Cancer organisation, Women4Cancer and Cancer for Women Foundation.

At Cancer for Women Foundation, awareness creation and testing has become their killer-bullet of sorts. This has been done through social media, community outreach, brochures and audio-visual shows.

Sporting authorities can play a huge role in helping the battle, not only through awareness but also supporting those who already have it. Mega-events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup from the age groups to senior level, the African Women’s Cup of Nations and the Council for East and Central African Football Association (CECAFA),can negotiate with their sponsors to set aside a percentage of the sponsorship funds and ticket sales towards supporting the treatment costs as well as help those affected, to access economic opportunities in the host locations where the matches are played.

Further, to negotiate cancer support with the sponsors, confederations and its association members will get an opportunity to encourage their sponsors to develop CSR programmes. Human resource managers will have an opportunity to negotiate with the boards of directors and create policies that make the workplace conducive for employees suffering from the scourge.

The fight against breast cancer goes beyond education and awareness about its medical, social and economic impact – hence, all stakeholders should roll up their sleeves in areas such as access to treatment, better policies as well as eradicating stigma.

As a life threatening non-communicable disease, breast cancer screening and awareness is considered as an important process but vital conversations should be shifted to access treatment.