PINK WALK FOR CANCER‏

Breast cancer is now becoming an alarming disease as it affect most of Tanzanian women, the disease has change the pattern in this five years  in group of women who are affected in terms of age  of onset, progression and outcome following treatment. The hospital statistics from Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) shows increases number where in year 2013 more than 400 new cases has reported to attend which represent 10% of all women affected by disease countrywide.

Ten years ago statistics has been demonstrated that the disease affecting women at their 50 decades and most of them were those who came from affluent communities  but over recent years country picture has changed we are seen  women affected by disease in prime of their age and also disease presented with aggressive clinical features which lead to high mortality.There is no doubt breast cancer affects many young and middle-aged Tanzanian women at the most active phase of their social and economic life, resulting in significant economic, social, physical and psychological harm to the country.In Tanzania 5 years survival with breast cancer is less than 30% which translated to death at productive and reproductive age which has negative impact in country development.
This is sensible time to think widely and blow the message to the community for action to be taken especially during this season of the year when where are going to mark breast cancer awareness day on 12^th October.We need to join effort to support the government to combat against disease.
What cause this early onset of disease and increases breast cancer burden in Tanzania, well it plausible due to many reasons .We know that early puberty is a known risk factor for breast cancer. We need to better understand what’s causing early puberty so that we cannow the cause of increases burden of disease.The first factor is obesity due to poor diet, lack of exercise and exposure to chemicals since their uterine life. Other factor is exposure to things either mentally or physically which arouse their sexual feelings.  Second,Psychological stress contributed with social life including family dysfuction and marriage affairs which affect body immunity against Cancer. Third, formula feeding introduced at early to our children which causes overweight as mothers milk is very protective.Fourth, is environment and chemical exposure which is reach of hormones from meat and milk, tobacco smoke exposure, pesticides and other organic hydrocarbons all these are called endocrine disruptor. Other chemicals are commonly used nowadays includes  cosmetics, shampoos, cleaning products, baby bottles and children’s teething toys also tend to increase risk of breast cancer.
Based on this few facts trigger us act personally and politically:Since breast cancer as other many cancers takes long to develop First, we need to put much of attention to our children to prevent them primarily from been exposed to risk factors for breast cancer. Second, increase physical activities by exercises more which in turn will control obesity and control psychological stress. Third, opt health seeking behavior which encourage people to have regular health check through self-Breast Examination and Clinical breast Examination to qualify personnel.We need to advocate to policy maker to put cancer control as the main health agenda. We need to ensure screening services are readily available in our health facility equipped with the needed infrastructure by doing this women will be detected early at curable stage. Fourth, improve access to care to those with breast cancer including availability of diagnostic facility,drugs, qualified personnel and treatment deliver machine to improve quality of treatment offered. All this can be done by ourselves, lets start by walk together during the breast cancer awareness day in 12^th October 2014 at Kunduchi Beach hotel; your steps  will add months of living to our sisters,wives and mothers who has affected by the disease  by  add more years of living with us.