First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has launched a four-day screening exercise for cancer and sexually transmitted infections at Jeka Village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe’s jurisdiction in Rumphi.
In an interview on Monday, the Principal Social Welfare Officer at State House, Grace Kalanda, said the initiative seeks to encourage women to routinely test for breast cancer to detect and treat it early, potentially saving their lives.
She added that the initiative was launched in 2023 and that at least 700 women in State Residences have been screened for breast cancer. Of these, three tested positive and are undergoing treatment. According to Kalanda, they aim to screen at least 500 people in Rumphi.
Director of Health and Social Services for Rumphi District Council, Dr Arnold Jumbe, said about six percent of women who undergo cervical cancer screening in Rumphi test positive. He also urged women to go for cervical and breast cancer screening.
Statistics indicate that at least 600 women die from breast cancer yearly while 4,000 test positive for cervical cancer, of which at least 2,000 die every year in Malawi.
By Manasse Nyirenda, MANA
