Journey of Hope uses scooters to spread message on cancer awareness

NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE
Correspondent | Thursday March 21, 2013 00:00

 

The organisation's event coordinator Andrea Kampmann said that when they realised that they would need to use unique tactics to grab Batswana's attention, they decided to tour the country on the snazzy pink scooters. She further said their initiative has been a resounding success. Kampmann pointed out that association has trained many women across Botswana to ride the Vespas (scooters). In the recent campaign, a group of women rode from Phakalane to the Gaborone Main Mall for the 'Save The Day Cancer Event'. First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) who sponsored four of the motorbikes.

She further said JoH has been riding its Vespas across several rural area where the impact of a fleet of pink motorbikes being manned by women was noticeable. Kampmann also said that support vehicles, an ambulance and a team of nurses often accompany the riders to ensure safety and professional first aid in case an accident occurs.  She also said that it is important for individuals to know how to check for lumps in their breasts. She urged that anyone who sees odd moulds or lumps anywhere in their body should see a doctor immediately because they might be malignant, noting that it's often better if the cancer is detected before it spreads or reaches a critical stage.

'Early detection is a crucial part of our message. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of receiving treatment. I encourage ladies to do regular checks for the lumps. People must know what their breasts look and feel like normally so that they can be able to notice when there are unusual changes,' she said.Kampmann further pointed out that breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers and that with early detection can have the survival rate of 95 percent. Although many women in urban areas are knowledgeable about cancer in the country, those in rural areas are said to succumb to breast cancer due to lack of information about the disease. One in 27 woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the country. The information from JoH shows that in Botswana, the incidence of breast cancer has overtaken that of cervical cancer.