By Precious D. Freeman
An insurance company aimed at contributing to the social development of the continent Activa has created an awareness on the knowledge of breast cancer.
The program that was held at the Nancy B. Doe market in Monrovia yesterday, brought together several market women who were taught on how one can develop a cancer from the breast and were also examined by doctors.
Speaking at the ceremony the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the insurance foundation Saye D. Gbalazeh explained that this initiative was supported by the president of the board Dr. Marie-Pierre Lowe to the foundation.
According to him, Activa has positioned itself alongside with women in the fight against breast cancer and how it can be early detected.
“Indeed we saw it as a spontaneous opportunity to support women in this struggle in this month of October, called PINK Month, because the united nation statistics show that the cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to almost double in the next 20 years. And that cancer is a major public health problem in this area,” he said.
He mentioned that a health campaign in various forms is underway in their subsidiaries which includes; public and female staff awareness, participation in sport matches, screening palpation by a doctor if the doctor deems it necessary to do a breast ultrasound or mammogram, it will be free for the patient.
“Knowing your dedication to such causes, on the basis of the report of the relevant analysis made on this project by the secretariat of the foundation, I have indicated my agreement for its realization,” he stated.
Speaking further, the coordinator for Activa foundation, Alice Dennis added that there is need for awareness-generation programs to educate women about breast cancer, propagation of correct messages and promote early detection of breast cancer.
She added that the purpose of the awareness is to reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment.
Madam Dennis furthered that according to National Breast Cancer Foundation, when breast cancer is detected early and has not spread anywhere else in the body, the five-year relative survival rate is 99 percent.
“That is why being proactive about your health through early detection is so very important to both men and women in the society,” she said.
She maintained that four decades now, the country has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it is a time annually devoted to educating about breast cancer including metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and the importance of early detection and access timely, high quality care.
“It is necessary to understand the warning signs of breast cancer, your risk of breast cancer and what’s normal for you so you can take action if there are any changes in your breast or underarm areas,”Activa coordinator advised.
However, the market superintendent, Morris P. Kandakai applauded the insurance foundation for the knowledge they have impacted onto the market women and promised to share the news to all those who were not opportuned to be present.
