Breast cancer awareness campaign: Welisane Foundation, partners painting nation pink.

The robust awareness campaign also focuses on deconstructing breast cancer myths and exploring ways to end the stigma on patients and survivors of the disease. 

The awareness campaign has been carried out by the Welisane Foundation and its partner, Dare-To-Live Foundation (Dare-to-Live by Anjoh, a breast cancer survivor). It has been unfolding both onsite and through traditional and social media outings. 

The awareness campaign, it should be said, is part of activities to mark the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pink October. 

The highpoint of the month-long awareness campaign was a crowd pulling breast cancer awareness walk, which The Welisane Foundation and partners staged in the nation’s capital, Yaounde, Saturday October 21. 

The Foundation and its partners also plan to stage another awareness walk in the economic capital, Douala, on October 28. 

This is the 6^th edition of the breast cancer awareness walk the foundation is organising. This year’s edition of the awareness walk is under the theme: “Act Together to Close the Care Gap”. It is holding under the distinguished patronage of the Ministry of Public Health.

The heavily attended walk in Yaounde saw participants walking through major roads right up to the summit of Mount Febe back to the Yaounde Parcours Vita where sport exercises were carried out. Participants were given free screening and talk on breast cancer among others. 

Cross section of women during sensitisation walk 

Helping to end stigma  

The Founder of Welisane Foundation, Welisane Mokwe Nkeng, explained that the breast cancer awareness campaign is an annual event during which women are encouraged to see the need to always go for screening once they notice any abnormality on their body.

“This year has been special because we witnessed a powerful mobilisation of breast cancer patients and survivors. They came out in their numbers and were happy to share with us their stories,” Welisane said. 

The participation of survivors and patients, Welisane noted, “goes to show that the stigma and silence around breast cancer are becoming a thing of the past”. 

She said it also lends credence to the robust sensitisation carried out by her foundation and its partners, thanks to what she described as “excellent collaboration with CRTV”.

“…they gave the Pink October more attention, thereby sensitising every nook and cranny of the nation,” Welisane noted. 

Zoom on Pink October activities by Welisane Foundation 

The goal set by the foundation for this year’s Pink October Month activities, Welisane disclosed, “was to touch every Region and to screen at least 1,000 women”. She seized the opportunity to thank all partners for their efforts made to achieve the objective set for this year. 

“We are thankful again to the media, especially CRTV, for making this possible this year and also to our health partners for helping us supersede our target in terms of screening,” she said.

Zooming on the series of activities carried out within the month, Welisane said they had educative talks, a Brunch in the United States of America and another in Cameroon, added to webinars, social media campaigns and visit to patients. 

Yaounde city dwellers being sensitised on dangers of breast cancer 

Challenge to change mindsets 

The greatest challenge faced, Welisane said, is her constant battle towards changing stereotypes and myths of citizens on survivors and breast cancer patients. 

“When people have an idea or belief that has been passed down from several generations, it is truly challenging to change their mindset. There is also the issue of stigma and shame. When it comes to issues such as menstruation, infertility or breast cancer, people still shy away from talking about this and this is an impediment to our work. Moreso, there is limited finances to bring all our ideas and projects to reality,” she regretted. 

Overcoming the aforementioned challenges, Welisane said, has been by “putting more efforts towards education and sensitisation. “Gradually, things are changing as we have noticed,” she stated.  

Welisane used the opportunity to salute the excellent relationship and support from different state structures. 

“We have an excellent relationship with the Ministry of Public Health…we also work with the National Cancer Control Committee. The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family carried us like babies from day one and have supported us every step of the way. We want to seize this opportunity to thank the minister, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoua. She has been a mother to us,” Welisane said. 

About Welisane Foundation

The Welisane Foundation was founded by celebrated award-winning journalist cum gender advocate, Welisane Mokwe Nkeng. 

It seeks to empower the Girl Child and Women by providing access to resources and removing impediments to reaching their optimum potential. 

The foundation works in four strategic areas, namely; education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, socioeconomic empowerment and mentorship.