Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Campaign Launched in Zorgho

Zorgho, Burkina Faso – The women of Pousghin, in the commune of Boudry, received awareness and screening for breast cancer on Friday, October 27, 2023. The initiative, held in the health air force of the CSPS of Pousghin, was a collaborative effort between the health district of Zorgho and the Société des mines de Sanbrado (SOMISA). The campaign’s goal is to decrease the incidence of breast cancer among local populations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Chief Medical Officer of the Zorgho health district, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Burkina Faso. He highlighted the alarming statistics: over a million women in Burkina Faso are living with breast cancer, and the country records more than 5,000 new cases annually. While specific data for Ganzourgou is not available, sporadic cases have been identified and treated at the Zorgho district hospital.

The campaign, coinciding with “Pink October,” a month dedicated to combating breast cancer, aimed to educate women about the disease, promote breast self-examination, and screen at least 200 women. The launch event saw dozens of women gather to learn about breast cancer, including its causes, symptoms, and early detection through self-palpation.

Dr. Kaboré addressed various queries from participants regarding the nature of breast cancer, its contagiousness, risk factors, and management of precancerous conditions. He emphasized that breast cancer, while non-contagious, can be influenced by factors like genetics, early puberty, late menopause, and exposure to harmful substances. He reassured the women that not all breast anomalies are cancerous and encouraged regular screenings and self-examinations.

Léontine Traoré, representing SOMISA’s Community Relations department, expressed the company’s commitment to the health of communities affected by the Sanbrado gold project. She praised the women’s turnout and urged them to apply the knowledge gained for timely detection and treatment.

Christelle Foméni, SOMISA’s senior community relations coordinator, highlighted the significance of October’s breast cancer awareness month. She pointed out that spreading knowledge is crucial in the fight against breast cancer.

Participant Christine Tiendrébéogo shared that many women hesitated to attend due to fear, but she thanked the organizers and vowed to disseminate the information further. She also expressed hope for continued support from the mining company for future health campaigns.