Own your story.

Everyone has experiences, desires, and struggles; it's all part of their story. In my role as a women's health advocate, I often feel the need to share statistics, World Health Organization references, and other academic data. However, this article focuses on recognizing the realities people face.

Dr. G. Dzimiri---Women's Health Advocate

Statistics are valuable, but when we focus on an individual and their personal battle with breast cancer, we gain a deeper appreciation for the need to raise awareness and be deliberate about our roles in combating this disease. I have met several patients whose stories have moved me; the key lesson was resilience. Every illness has both a physical and psychological aspect.

This year's theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, ‘Every story is unique and every journey matters.’ My focus in raising awareness is on emphasizing the psychological aspect of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Theme by WHO

I have always been upfront about the fact that one part of my job I dislike is delivering bad news. This could involve declaring someone deceased or informing a patient of a diagnosis. Disclosing a diagnosis like cancer is challenging because, to most people, cancer is synonymous with a death sentence, regardless of the stage at which it is detected. That being said, have we ever considered the burden carried by those with breast cancer? A patient once told me, “I am just a ticking time bomb,” and that broke my heart. Such a diagnosis strips individuals of hope. What is life without hope? Hope allows us to plan, to persevere, and to dream. How can you dream when you're uncertain about surviving to see the next day? No one with breast cancer should face the journey alone, and every story is important.

Let’s all contribute to raising awareness. As reported by the World Health Organization, approximately 2.3 million individuals were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and 670,000 succumbed to this illness. These figures represent our mothers, sisters, friends, and colleagues. In 2012, the World Health Organization introduced the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which established ambitious '60-60-80' targets. According to the WHO, they have the tools to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer. The GBCI advises countries to implement evidence-based strategies across three pillars. The first pillar emphasizes health promotion and early detection, aiming to diagnose 60% of invasive breast cancers at Stage 1 or 2. The second pillar focuses on timely diagnoses, aiming to ensure that 60% of patients receive a diagnosis within 60 days of their initial presentation. The third pillar strives to ensure that 80% of patients complete their recommended treatment. We all have a part to play in reaching these goals.

The specific actions we can take are as straightforward as wearing pink in October and sharing content with the hashtag #Pinktober. We can donate as little as $1 to organizations like the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe. These contributions will help provide free screenings for women in the high-risk age group during October. We can disseminate accurate information, such as signs and symptoms, from trustworthy sources like the World Health Organization website.

To support our sisters on this journey, we can help alleviate the financial strain of accessing treatment. We can also accompany them to all their medical appointments and encourage them to stick to their treatment plan. Remember, even the smallest actions can significantly impact someone's life.

From a psychological perspective, we can assist our friends and sisters by connecting them with professional counselling services. We can also link them to social welfare programs that can alleviate financial stress and, indirectly, support their psychological well-being. We can provide emotional support by being there for them or praying with them if they have faith in a Higher Power.

As we continue to raise awareness this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, may we remember that behind every statistic is a face, a family, and a story worth honouring. Each diagnosis carries not only a physical journey but also an emotional and psychological one. When we approach breast cancer with empathy and understanding, we help restore hope, one conversation, one act of kindness, and one show of support at a time.

Let us stand together; health professionals, families, communities, and advocates, ensuring that no woman faces this journey alone. Every story is unique, and every journey truly matters.