It’s Breast Cancer Month: Take time to know your breasts

The goals of the campaign are to increase awareness and promote behaviour change for early detection of breast cancer among Kenyans, and improve access to quality care. 

Reproductive Health Nurse Alice Gachagua spoke to Citizen Digital about breast cancer screening and why it is important to do regular tests.

“In the early stages, cancer may not show any signs or symptoms, and so routine breast screening can help to diagnose active cases quite early,” says Nurse Gachagua, who works with Naledi Initiative to offer support and promote cancer awareness in Kenya.

The Naledi Initiative is a Non-Profit Organization registered in Kenya, serving the vulnerable communities at the grassroots level. 

As Kenyans join the world to help spread the message of breast cancer awareness, it is clear that every breast cancer screening and diagnosis is quite personal.

That behind every screening and possible diagnosis is a journey and a story of love and resilience. Indeed, breast cancer touches the lives of women (and even men) differently — and that every journey deserves compassion and support.

Nurse Gachagua notes that although breast cancer can be found in men, it is only a small percentage of men who get breast cancer. She advises men to do regular screening as well.

"Make it a monthly routine for self-breast examination, which can be done by simply standing in front of a mirror and observing your breasts, or by palpation, which medically refers to correctly touching the breast and surrounding areas to screen for breast cancer," says Gachagua.

This year’s theme — Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters —reinforces the need for compassionate, timely and quality care for all.