Malawi: 'Breast Cancer Is Not a Curse' - Ansah's Plea to Women As Cases Soar in Malawi
[Nyasa Times] Malawi's First Vice-President, Jane Ansah, has appealed to women to seek medical attention as soon as they detect unusual changes in their breasts, warning that late diagnosis continues to undermine efforts to combat one of the country's most persistent health challenges.
Malawi's First Vice-President, Jane Ansah, has urged women to promptly seek medical care upon noticing changes in their breasts, warning that late diagnosis hinders the fight against breast cancer, one of the country's persistent health challenges. Speaking at a Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch in Lilongwe, Ansah emphasized that early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
She challenged the misconceptions surrounding the illness, urging women to view breast cancer as a medical condition rather than a spiritual affliction. Breast cancer should not be considered a curse or sin, she stated, encouraging women to combine faith with professional medical care.
Breast cancer survivor Charity Mwafulirwa, diagnosed in 2022, supported Ansah's message, urging women to perform regular self-examinations and seek screening when concerns arise. However, she also highlighted the financial barriers many patients face, which can delay diagnosis and treatment, reducing the chances of successful outcomes.
The event took place amid a rising cancer burden in Malawi, with the country currently recording over 19,000 new cancer cases annually, up from over 10,000 in 2009. More than 13,000 people die from the disease each year. Kamuzu Central Hospital's director, Amos Msekandiana, noted that the institution is making progress in treating various cancers, including breast cancer, as it strives to enhance specialist services.
Organizers, however, stressed that awareness is as vital as treatment, with the campaign continuing beyond October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The K48 million raised at the brunch, aimed at a K100 million target, will support ongoing awareness and advocacy efforts. The speakers agreed that the primary challenge now is not just expanding treatment but ensuring more women present early enough to benefit from it.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
