Body Takes Breast Cancer Awareness To PH Schools

As the world marks Cancer Awareness Week from the February 4 annually, a non- governmental organisation (NGO), that labeled itself as Engraved Life Foundation has taken breast c ancer campaign to some schools in Port Harcourt.
So far, female students at Government Secondary School Orominike in D-line Port Harcourt and Community Secondary School at Nkpolu Oroworukwo were schooled on care and dangers of breast cancer.
The campaign covered special speeches, demonstrations and sharing of pads and accessories to the young female students aged between 12 -17 years old.
Rivers State Coordinator of the Engraved Life Foundation, Joy Roberts told The Tide Metro that the annual campaign had been over four years, and that the target this year was to reach 200,O00 students across three states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos States.
“ So far this year in Rivers State, we have covered over 1,500 students and by the time we round up other schools of our target, the coverage will increase,” she said.
The target of the campaign she revealed is to “catch them early” – those young girls who may be vulnerable to Cancer.
Unfortunately, it’s not just Breast Cancer that is common among women. Cervical and womb cancer are also more prevalent among the female folk.
A medical doctor who joined the campaign, and who served as one of the spokeswomen, Dr. Stella Jerry said the campaign is very crucial at a time breast cancer has grown.
Dr. Jerry told the school girls to be on the alert of any changes, growth or pain in their breasts.
She related her experience years ago when she discovered a young girl of 13 years who had breast cancer.
In her words,” one of the things that put girls or women at risk is that they are black , because this kind of cancer is prevalent among black people.
“ And if you have any of your relatives with breast cancer either mother or aunty, that puts you at risk as well,” she declared.
The young medical doctor urged them to always feel their breasts for lumps or growth,” if you see any thing that is not part of the breast, please, talk to somebody or go to a health centre.”
For her, early detection is very important in the cure for cancer as she emphasised,” Breast cancer is treatable if it’s discovered early.”
Some of the students were excited after the lectures and told The Tide Metro that they will serve as ambassadors to the campaign.
Naomi Madufo, a Senior Secondary Three student of Orominike Girls said,” today I have learnt a lot, on how to care for my breasts and I will tell my sisters at home.”
Beatrice Egali, another student said her grandmum had been battling breast cancer and that from what she learnt, she would be more cautious and be on the watch out.

Kevin Nengia