Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Africa In Focus

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide annual campaign where thousands of organisations highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research. Support events in your communities, wherever you are. 

Breast Cancer In Africa

Fear, myths, stigma and misinformation are associated with the prevalent late stage presentations of breast cancer by many African women. Advanced breast cancer is costly, difficult or sometimes impossible to treat and may result in death. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low and middle in-come countries where resources for prevention, diagnosis and treatment are limited or nonexistent.

According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), breast cancer is a growing health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing cervical cancer as the leading cause of death in many countries. In this region of Africa, breast cancer is responsible for one in four diagnosed cancers and one in five cancer deaths in women.  Raising awareness means the disease can be detected early so those affected can be treated. 

Here are some useful organisations involved in fighting the disease in Africa:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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