Breast Care Malawi, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer, on Sunday held a fun run.
The event was highly patronised and its proceeds will be used to purchase laboratory and hospital consumables to help women in need of a breast biopsy or surgery related to breast cancer.
One of the Cancer Care Malawi directors Ria Duke, who is a cancer survivor herself, said the fun run will help them in their efforts to help with early detection of breast cancer.
She said the organisation noted a gap in the awareness, early screening and treatment of cancer due to the challenges that exist in the health sector.
For instance, Duke said the health sector in Malawi is marred by lack of funds, lack of equipment and low motivation of staff.
Specific to cancer, Malawi has few screening centres and the level of awareness is extremely low.
Duke said as a result of lack of treatment centres, the disease burden of cancer impacts on the finances of individuals as they seek for treatment abroad.
Those that are lucky may get on the government list and obtain treatment abroad. However, in most cases once diagnosed with cancer as is with most chronic illnesses in Malawi, chances of survival are slim.
Said Duke: “With this background in mind, our goal is to raise funds and build a breast care facility in Malawi, which will be the first of its kind. We are currently looking at a budget of K5 billion Kwacha to construct a 3-storey building complete with the latest technology and equipment.”
This is the first breast cancer fun run/walk in Blantyre. n
