By GUMA Communications Unit
The Management and Staff of Guma Valley Water Company have on Saturday 15th October, 2022 joined the Well Woman Clinic (MEPS Trust) to commemorate Breast Cancer Month (BRECAM) 2022 and raise funds for breast cancer patients by hiking 8.4 kilometers from King’s View Lodge at Sussex to the Guma Dam at Mile 13 and back to King’s View Lodge.Every year, October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the world, and the objective of the campaign is to raise public awareness about breast cancer, its detection, treatment and the need for a reliable permanent cure.
The Well Woman Clinic was founded in 2006 and is committed to raising awareness of breast and cervical cancers, providing clinical screenings, diagnostic services, and cancer care support. The Clinic also arranges treatments for cancer patients and covers the cost of treatment for those in need.
Breast cancer is a type of cancer in which the cells in the breast grow uncontrollably. It is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide. It is also the second leading cause of death among women after lung cancer. In 2020, there were 684,996 deaths from breast cancer globally (WHO, 2021).
The symptoms of breast cancer are newly formed lump in the breast or underarm, dimpling or irritation of the breast skin, pain in any area of the breast, discharge from the nipple, swelling or thickening of part of the breast, change in the size and shape of the breast, redness or flaky skin in the nipple or breast, inversion or pulling in of the nipple.
However, with early detection and treatment, breast cancer can be defeated. This is why it is very important to increase awareness and education among women about the disease.
For the past two years, the Management of Guma Valley water Company has been promoting breast cancer awareness in the workplace. It has been educating its staff about the disease; its symptoms, effects, prevention methods, the importance of early detection and encouraging them to adopt healthy life style habits.
Also, by promoting awareness of breast cancer at work, staff can understand the symptoms, effects, and treatments of the disease better if someone close to them is suffering from the disease.
Guma Valley Water Company with support from the Well Woman Clinic have also conducted clinical breast screenings for female staff of the company as early detection and treatment increase the chance of winning the battle against breast cancer.
By increasing awareness and education about breast cancer amongst its staff and the community; Guma is doing its own bit in the fight against the disease.
