Malawi women dying due to breast cancer, calls for self-test resurface

Pink Pink Foundation has stressed the need for Malawian women to learn how to screen themselves for breast cancer in order to prevent deaths caused by the disease.

 This was said during a breast cancer awareness march in Lilongwe.

Breast cancer is claiming more lives of women as statics shows that more than 1,600 women and girls in the country are dying of cervical cancer with 2,300 new cases yearly whilst breast cancer remains unknown to many women due to late detection as lack of awareness is taking lead.

Founder for Pink Pink Foundation Brandina Kondowe said women need to know how to screen themselves and that they must be aware that cancer is a deadly disease.

Kondowe said there is a great problem in Malawi as most women are flown abroad to get treatment as Malawi has less resources to support the increasing number of women being diagnosed with the disease.

‘’Breast cancer is a problem in the country as it is claiming more lives of women and there is a need to create awareness to women on how they can screen themselves to avoid deaths caused by the disease,’’ said Kondowe.

She added that Malawi does not have a whole package to have early screening which is making people die because of lack of money to fly abroad.

The foundation is being spearheaded by the former miss Malawi and she said they will be sensitizing women to know more about breast cancer.