They danced, they celebrated lives lost and lives saved, listened to stories from women who are breast cancer survivors and also learnt lifesaving tips from experts.
Women from around Lilongwe on Saturday gathered for the inaugural Think Pink cancer awareness walk and talk organised by former Miss Malawi Blandina Khondowe and other cancer survivors.
The walk brought together experts who demonstrated breast self-examination to check for lumps, skin discolouration, dimples or discharge from the nipple when the breast is squeezed.
It was politicians like Parliament Women Caucus chairperson Jessie Kabwila who encouraged the women that such campaigns would highlight the dangers of cancers, but also canvass for funding from government towards increased treatment opportunities and awareness.
Kabwila said: “This is a disease that can impact anybody wherever they are. Women being 52 percent of the Malawi population, it is time such women issues were taken seriously.”
Khondowe, herself a breast cancer survivor, said she rallied other organisers for Think Pink to impart information on how cancer could be prevented and detected.
“Women should not be afraid to go for that test, it affects everyone. There’s a young woman who is just 23 years old, but she was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment,” said Khondowe who became emotional when telling the story of her own diagnosis and treatment journey.
Think Pink received support from institutions such as Centre for Medical Diagnostics (CMED) who offered women a K10 000 discount on a mammogram (scan of the breast).
