Sandbox Beach Club, has organised a breast cancer screening for the residents of Maajaano in the La Traditional area. The event which was held on 20th October had over two hundred women and men being screened and educated about the importance of self-examination.
Speaking at the side-lines of the event, Sarah Mary Adetola Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Groupe Sebastien, the holding company of a chain of restaurants and culinary school, including Sandbox Beach Club, said:
‘’Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. While this cancer largely affects women, men are also prone to this disease, although at a much lower rate. For these reasons, breast cancer awareness is important, but most of all breast health awareness is even more crucial.’’
She also expressed her joy in spending on initiatives like breast cancer awareness.
‘’As a woman and business owner, I am particularly enthusiastic about investing time and resources into issues that affect the communities in which I work. By uniting as a community that recognizes the importance of all women, and in this case all women’s health, we can work together to ensure that every woman has access to education and support, whether it be emotional, financial or medical and hope; regardless of her circumstance’’, she stated.
She was hopeful that by the end of the screening and breast cancer awareness event, participants would have learnt about the importance of breast care.
‘’By the end of this program, we hope that you learn something new about breast health and breast cancer and that knowledge will inspire you to participate in our free breast screening’’ she said.
A Public Health Nurse, from the LA Polyclinic, Linda Tettey, took the participants through breast self-examination.
‘’Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here’s what you should look for; Breasts that are their usual size, shape Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling. If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor’s attention. Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out). Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage’’ Linda Tettey said.
A resident who was a beneficiary of the free breast cancer screening shared her experience.
‘’I do the breast self-examination sometimes, but I don’t really know if I am doing it right or not. Coming here today has helped me know how to examine my breast and what to look out for. I encourage both men and women to take advantage of these kinds of initiatives’’ she said.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.