ECCT SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, OCTOBER 2011

The statistics on Breast Cancer in Zimbabwe show how much at risk women in the country are.  Zimbabwe Cancer Registry figures (2010) show that Breast cancer is the third highest cancer affecting females in the country.

This October, the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust (ECCT) and the Art of Being Humane Foundation (ABHF) are collaborating to support Breast Cancer Awareness in Zimbabwe.  The two are partnering up to host an Exhibition portraying various women’s stories of Cervical Cancer (collected during Cervical Cancer Awareness month in September 2011) and an Information giving/Performance Day, later this month.  Keep your eyes posted on the blog for regular posts of information on Breast Cancer and the upcoming events!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The ECCT is appealing to Volunteer nurses/medical practitioners and anyone else in Harare, who would like to help with Breast Cancer Awareness month and/or our upcoming event. Contact details below.

TOP 5 BREAST CANCER MYTHS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

As we will also be blogging about important facts concerning Breast Cancer, have a read on the ‘Top 5 Breast Cancer myths that every woman should know’ below. We feel the importance of discussing these because Breast Cancer has been the subject of many discussions on how it comes about; leaving many women confused as to what is fact or fiction.

The following information is quoted from Dr. Helen Zorbas, CEO of Cancer Australia.

Information saves lives!

§  MYTH 1: If your family member had breast cancer you inherit it

Dr. Zorba states that although women with a first-degree relative with cancer have a higher chance of developing it, less than 15% of women who have breast cancer have a family member who also suffered from it.

§  MYTH 2: Using deodorant increases your risk of breast cancer

This is definitely a myth associated with the disease.  However, there has not been enough research to determine this fact. 

§  MYTH 3: Stress increases your risk of breast cancer

It has been stated that there is not enough research to show that stress increases the risk of breast cancer.

§  MYTH 4: A lump in the breast always means it’s breast cancer

Not all lumps in the breast mean that it’s cancer. Lumps can also be linked to hormonal changes; cysts and fibro adenomas (a smooth lump made up of fibrous and glandular tissue).  The important thing is that you go to your doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your breast, including discharge from the nipples or a nipple that suddenly becomes inverted.

§  MYTH 5: The Pill and infertility treatments increase the risk of breast cancer

Dr. Zorbas states, “The underlying risk of breast cancer is low at the younger ages when women typically use the pill.  There is no evidence that fertility treatments increase the risk.”

*For any other information or to volunteer for the ECCT Breast Cancer Awareness Event & Exhibition, please email Donna or Lynda at artbeinghumane@gmail.com or ring 0774 545 700.

Info & pic sources:

·         Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, ‘Annual Report 2006’ (edited 2010)

·         Rhiannon Sawyer, ’10 Breast Cancer Myths Busted’ http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health+healing/news+features/10+breast+cancer+myths,14487 at 2/10/2011.

·         Teurai Chanakira: image by Peter Brown Photographer 2010   

·         www.redbubble.com; www.catwalkqueentv.com

CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS COFFEE MORNING, 24 SEP 2011

During September 2011, the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust (ECCT) supported Cervical Cancer Awareness month in Zimbabwe.  The ECCT is excited to remind you that it is collaborating with the Art of Being Humane Foundation (ABHF) by holding a number of awareness raising events, including during Breast Cancer Awareness this October.

"Be Cervical Cancer Aware": promoting Cervical Cancer Awareness at Shoko!

The coffee morning was a success!  It was held at Masibanda Lodge, 41 Atkinson Drive, Hillside, Harare on 24 September 2011 between 10am – 12pm. The ladies from ABHF had also been out the night before at the Shoko! International Spoken Word and Hip-Hop Festival, donning beautiful branded T-shirts with the simple, but effective slogan, “Be Cervical Cancer Aware”.

ABHF ladies wearing "Be Cervical Cancer Aware" T-shirts at Shoko!

Research conducted

On the morning of the event, research carried out on what Cervical Cancer is and the facts which every woman should know, was utilized during group discussions at the event, which is essential as a part of awareness-raising.  We then handed out questionnaires to assess the women’s knowledge of Cervical Cancer and many were amazed by how much they did not know including, for example, that there are different types of cervical cancer.

One lady in her 30’s had never had a smear test and felt empowered with the knowledge given, to go and book a health checkup at a woman’s clinic.

Raising awareness: Discussion groups and research questionnaires answered

Photo Shoot

After the discussion, each woman participated in a photo shoot in Masibanda Lodge’s beautiful garden with the photography being done by Rudo from ‘E:thos Photography by Rudo Nyangulu’.   The images will be shown at an Exhibition which is planned for 28 October 2011 at Alliance Francaise.

Women sharing knowledge to save lives

Be Cervical Cancer Aware


From the research conducted, the following was apparent and thus we need to continue to  raise awareness of Cervical Cancer. Research will continue to be conducted, the results of which will be contributed to a SADC (Southern African Development Community) Final Report: 

• A few ladies had no idea that they had to go annually or bi-annually for a Pap smear test / screening. A few ladies said that they were busy with their jobs, families and the general pressures of life that they do not find time to do these things.         
• Others did not know whether they had had Pap smears done although it was mentioned that this was a practice carried out after child birth in the six weeks post- delivery checkup. This shows that many women who interact with health professionals are not empowered to ask questions about their care where they are not clear. 

 This leaves them unaware of the dangers of cancers and other diseases, as well as what they can do to prevent them or detect them at an earlier stage.

All the ladies that participated in the Coffee morning showed their support by buying the T-shirts which were going for $12 each.

ECCT is very happy to know that the ladies found the event very educational; that they will pass on what they had learnt about cervical cancer and get more ladies involved in this project, including personally making time to go and have a Pap smear test.

*Important fact: if every woman in the world had regular pap smears and/or access to Pap smear services, there would be no cervical cancer or resultant deaths, as the cervical cancerous cells take many years to develop.

*OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: stay posted to the ECCT blog for details of the event to be held at Alliance Francaise on 28 October 2011

THE ELIZABETH CHANAKIRA CANCER TRUST & THE ART OF BEING HUMANE FOUNDATION SUPPORT SEP '11 CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN ZIMBABWE

What is cervical cancer?


·        Cancer of the entrance to a woman’s womb (uterus). The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb).

Important statistics for Zimbabwean women

**Most cervical cancers can be prevented


·         Cervical cancer is the 5^th most common cancer in women worldwide with approximately 471,000 new cases diagnosed each year. A woman dies of cervical cancer approximately every 2 minutes. 
·Cervical cancer is more common in women over 40, but sometimes develops quickly and is sometimes diagnosed in younger women.
·   Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.  It is more common in less developed countries.  80% of the cases occur in low-income or middle-income countries. Zimbabwe Cancer Registry statistics (2010) showing that this type of cancer is the most common in the black female population of Zimbabwe.  Cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women in Central America and Southern Africa. 

What increases the risk of cervical cancer?


·         The risk of cervical cancer is increased by, for example:

ØThe Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  Almost everyone who is sexually active is infected with HPV at some point, however in some women it can cause abnormal cell changes which can develop into cervical cancer. Women from the age of 12 – can now receive a vaccine to guard against the virus.

Ø  Smoking, particularly if a woman has had a persistent infection with a high-risk HPV type.

Ø  Neglecting to attend regular Pap smear examinations and pelvic examinations which are in intended to identify abnormal cell changes earlier, so whilst the test is slightly uncomfortable, it may save your life. It has been estimated that only about 5% of women in developing countries have been screened for cervical dysplasia in the past 5 years, compared with 40% to 50% of women in developed countries.

What is ECCT doing about it?


ECCT Cervical Cancer Awareness campaign, September 2011

• This month, ECCT in partnership with the Art of Being Humane Foundation, will be using photography as a creative skill to document women’s stories in relation to cervical cancer. This research is also being collected for a SADC (Southern African Development Community) project, which aims to get a sense of women's knowledge and experiences with cervical cancer services in the SADC. 
•  ECCT and the ABH are promoting awareness amongst Zimbabwean women and have been working with a small group of women in Harare , who will be sharing their stories and holding a photo shoot on Sat 24 September 2011 from 10 am - 12noon at Masibanda Lodge, 41 Atkinson Drive in Hillside.  
• They will then host a small event for cervical cancer at the same venue later in the month (date to be announced) as a means to raise awareness and exhibit the images and stories of the women who participate
•  See more of Rudo Nyangulu’s work
•  Anyone who wants to help in some way can contact ABH via email at artbeinghumane@gmail.com or 073535588 and ask for Donna.

By raising awareness, we can save lives!

Blog sources:

•      "Cervical Cancer in the Developing World” (1997) at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071564/
•          Central African Journal of Medicine, “Evaluation of cervical cancer screening programme in the Harare City Health Department, Zimbabwe” (1997)
•          Zimbabwe Cancer Registry Annual Report 2006 (revised 2010)

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