Group Photo Of The ECOMIG Contingent And Their Partners
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The ECOMIG Contingent in the Gambia, in collaboration with the Gambia Armed Forces, continues its ongoing breast cancer awareness campaign in the West Coast Region. The participating security agencies have reached out to the New Yundum Health Center and the Brikama District Hospital to raise awareness about the risks of breast cancer and early detection mechanisms.
At both health facilities, community members benefited from free screenings and learned essential skills for early detection.
The awareness campaign aims to educate and support the public about breast cancer, encouraging early detection and providing support to those affected.
During the events, the ECOMIG medical team and military officers engaged with community members to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, self-examination, early detection, and treatment options.
The Alkalo of New Yundum, Alhagie Ousman Bojang, expressed his gratitude to the ECOMIG Contingent for their contribution to the health sector and encouraged women to prioritize their health.
“The problem is that there are certain illnesses that women will be having, and they will get shy about them. And it is something that you have to come forward with; whatever abnormalities you see within yourself, you have to visit the health center, and they can give you free treatment. So many of them, when they have cancer, will sit at home, telling their husbands that these days my breast is hurting. You might not know the cause of that if you do not visit the hospital,” he said.
He added that a healthy person is also a wealthy person, urging women not to sit at home if they feel sick.
“If you have sickness and sit at home, what will happen tomorrow? You are going to be isolated from society, and that will not help you, it will not help us and you people are the first teachers of the family,”he stressed.
The Officer in Charge of the Brikama District Hospital, Dr. Momodou Lamin Waggeh, shared global breast cancer statistics for 2022. He also highlighted some of the signs and symptoms that patients with breast cancer can present.
“In 2022, there were 2.3 million women globally diagnosed with breast cancer, and 670, 000 deaths globally. Breast cancer occurs in women at any age after puberty, and the risks increase with age. In the Gambia, breast cancer ranks second to cervical cancer, with about 101 news cases from 2021 to 2022,”he said.
He stated that the signs and symptoms patients can present include a lump, discharge from the nipple, pain in the breast, abnormalities in the nipples, or a change in the size of the breast.
He explained that most people will not experience any symptoms when the cancer is still early, hence the importance of early detection.
“The treatment is based on the person, the type of cancer, and its spread. Treatment can be combined surgery, radiation therapist and medication,”he said.
Major Eunice Holman, Co-Organizer for the ECOMIG and Gambia Armed Forces for the Pink October campaign, emphasized that the ECOWAS mission in the Gambia is committed to raising awareness about breast cancer across the country.
“The Pink October campaign came as a result of the high prevalence of breast cancer in the Gambia. Currently, the rates stand at 11.25%, and with a population of 2.24 million, the females contribute about 1.24 million, indicating that we have about one hundred and thirty-five thousand people living with breast cancer in the Gambia. Out of that amount, the mortality rate is 50%, and that indicates that we have about sixty-seven thousand five hundred people at risk of dying,” she highlighted.
She said that is why their mission, together with their sister security services in the Gambia, embarked on the October campaign.
She called on people to get involved in the campaign, urging them to visit hospitals for screening.
“After October, we are not leaving you; the campaign will still continue. Visit any of the ECOMIG outlets, and we will take good care of you. Our doctors also visit the various hospitals for consultations. We will help you out and do the necessary screening for you. And also, if you see any abnormalities in your breast, please come to the nearest hospital and let them help you out. Let’s ensure that you are safe because we need you alive,” she noted.
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide, and campaigns like Pink October continue to play a crucial role in promoting early detection and treatment, which can significantly improve survival rates.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international health campaign held every October. The campaign aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease. This year’s theme is “No one should face breast cancer alone.”