24 Aug 2022

Journey of Hope Botswana (JOHB) will on Friday embark on a nationwide breast cancer awareness campaign known as the Big Journey.

Journey of Hope Botswana is a non-profit organisation devoted to educating the nation about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and timely, high-quality care.

In an interview with BOPA, JOHB Coordinator, Ms Onica Lekuntwane said a team of volunteers would take breast cancer awareness throughout Botswana.

Ms Lekuntwane said every year, since 2010, a group of volunteers, in bright pink clothing, undertook a trip known as the Big Journey to fulfil JOHB’s pledge to take breast cancer awareness across the country.

“The Big Journey was brought to an abrupt halt by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this year we are happy to announce that we will be back on the road again from August 26 to September 03,” she said.

She said the journey would span over nine days and would include breast screening, demonstration of the self-breast examination technique and collection of samples that needed to be examined in medical laboratories.

“During the big journey, the team of about 40 volunteers, which includes medical staff, will visit identified clinics to give awareness talks, demonstrate the self-breast examination technique and conduct much needed screening, such as palpation and breast scans using portable ultrasound and mammogram machines,” she said.

The campaign, which  is in collaboration with the  Ministry of Health, is sponsored by First Capital Bank Botswana and Medlane Healthcare.

Ms Lekuntwane said they hoped to screen 2 500 people during their clinic stops.

“We are excited about the pledge of 100 free mammograms by First Capital Bank Botswana and another 20 from Medlane Healthcare, which will be carried out in the Medlane Healthcare mobile mammography truck. Screening forms an important part of being breast aware, and is the gateway to diagnosis as it identifies even the smallest changes inside one's breast,” she said. The Big Journey will make clinic stops in Palapye, Letlhakane, Orapa and Greater Francistown. ENDS