OUR STORIES 2024
©BAFROW Medical Centre
Commemoration
Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October, 2024
Breast cancer is a serious disease and a great cause for concern.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer among women worldwide, with 670,000 deaths from the disease. Women in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable due to limited information, stigma, late detection, inadequate treatment and care, and financial constraints. According to WHO, survival rates in the region remain concerning—only 40 per cent of women live beyond five years after diagnosis.
In The Gambia, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women. The Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) country profile for 2022 recorded 101 new cases, representing 14.9 per cent of all female cancers. Breast cancer ranked third among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Gambian women, with 50 deaths reported.
What We Are Doing To Help
- Providing routine information and counselling, and conducting health education sessions to encourage positive lifestyle changes and dispel myths that fuel stigma
- Conducting breast examinations and mammogram screenings for women at higher risk (aged 40–50 and above) to enable early detection and timely intervention
- Offering treatment, care and on-going support to patients and their families
Are you due for a mammogram screening?
Phone us on the numbers below, send an email or click on the link to find out more.
- +220-3737485
- +220-9925639
- +220-6655102
- +220-7773500
- info@bafrow.org
How You Can Help
The month of October offers an opportunity to support national efforts in reducing breast cancer incidence and related deaths—and to make life-changing differences for yourself and those around you.
You can:
Understand breast cancer better
- Learn about the risk factors and symptoms
- Find out how and where the disease can be diagnosed and treated
- Explore the support available for patients and families
Actively participate in prevention
- Raise awareness about the disease
- Modify your lifestyle for improved wellness
- Begin monthly self-breast examinations in your early 20s
- Visit BAFROW Medical Centre for regular breast examinations and mammography screenings
Although Breast Cancer Awareness Month officially ends on 31 October, prevention should not stop there. Make it a year‑round commitment.
More from this event
GALLERY - Awareness creation at BAFROW Medical Centre
©BAFROW Medical Centre
OPD health talks
©BAFROW Medical Centre
information and visibility
©BAFROW Medical Centre
Pink ribbon and t-shirt distribution
Related issues
Events
