By Mary Kabay
On Saturday 17th October 2020, the Dorwontony Organization For the Aged (DOFA) undertook a sensitization and awareness raising drive on breast cancer at the Wilberforce Village an activity that was complemented by free testing conducted by the Well Woman Clinic. The targeted beneficiaries were mainly the aged
Councilor for Ward 437, within the Wilberforce Village, Aminata Gibril Sesay, welcomed members of DOFA and staff of the Well Woman Clinic for taking the bold step and initiative to reach out to their community in order to educate the aged about breast cancer.
She disclosed that it is the first time for an organization to target the aged with messages relating to breast cancer saying they heartily appreciate the move. She appealed to residents in the community to make good use of what she referred to as a golden opportunity to get cogent information about breast cancer and enjoin them to willingly offer themselves for free testing.
Dorren Barrie, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged disclosed that they decided to target the aged because most times they are almost forgotten in society furthering how her burning desire is to help the aged maintaining that for far too long now other humanitarian organizations have been mainly focusing on dealing with issues relating to children, the youth and women.
Jenifer Renner-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Well Woman Clinic, in her statement, said she is excited to engage the aged on breast cancer and its effects especially women. She said it had been experimentally discovered that 1% of men are prone to breast cancer further revealing how, though not deliberate, it was not in their agenda to particularly target and engage the aged during this Breast Cancer Month but with DOFA’s intervention they ensured that such should become possible which is why they were present at the Wilberforce Village.
Tina Davies, Consultant of Reproductive Health at the Well Woman Clinic informed residents, particularly the aged, that they are ready to run the test further giving assurance that it will be confidential as results will be privately made known.
Sister Adija Salam Uviegibsie, Head of Sister Well Woman Clinic stated that breast cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the breast that leads to lumps. She dilated that breast cancer could emanate through hereditary factors, stress, fat, not breast feeding, not eating the right types of food, drinking less water, smoking and drinking alcohol.
Touching on the signs and symptoms she mentioned lumps on the breast which resembles marbles, irregular sizes of the breasts and the nipples.
Sister Adija stated that the types of food we eat really matters and also admonished to avoid too much consumption of canned and fatty foods. She highlighted the importance of daily exercises, the need to always visit the hospital for intermittent check- ups when an individual notices any of the signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.
She also recommended the drinking of plenty water on a daily basis.
Sister Adija sensitized residents on how to do self-examination for breast cancer.
According to her, women that are experiencing their menstrual cycle are advised to do theirs seven (7) days after their menstrual period and for those that have reached their menopause stage it should be done either on the first day or on the last day of the month.
Explaining how to conduct a check, she explained that a person could sit, stand or lie on the bed .
“The individual should place his or her right hand behind his or her head and use the other hand to check starting from the neck to the breast,” she guided and continued that the thumb and the second finger are important to check the breast area saying the individual should imagine a clock ticking and count from 1-12 advising that those with big breasts can do so two times then squeeze the nipples to see if blood or a smelly pus is oozing out.
