16 Oct 2025

Every October the world turns pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in Botswana, that pink carries a powerful message, says Ms Gloria Rakgotla, the Chief Information, Education and Communications Officer of National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA).

In an interview, Ms Rakgotla said “Itse Mabele a Gago – Tshwara, Leba, Tlhatloba”, translated to mean Know Your Breasts, Touch, Look, Examine, was more than just a slogan, but a life-saving call to action.

She pointed out that breast cancer did not shout, it whispered, a small lump, a subtle change, a little discomfort, adding that but when ignored, those whispers could become a roar too loud to silence. Giving statistics, she said across the globe, breast cancer was now the most common cancer among women.

In 2022 alone, over 2.3 million people were diagnosed, and 670 000 lost their lives, many simply because they did not catch it early enough, Ms Rakgotla said. She said locally, breast cancer was the second most common cancer, especially among women.

“According to the Global Cancer Observatory, 257 new cases were reported in 2022, with 91 deaths recorded,” said Ms Rakgotla.

Nevertheless, she highlighted that more women were getting diagnosed, a sign that awareness campaigns and outreach efforts were working. Still, she said the challenge remained as many still showing up too late and often when treatment options were limited and outcomes are poor.

Ms Rakgotla mentioned that the rural communities faced barriers like long distances to clinics, lack of access to screening, and low health-seeking behavior.

She nevertheless said the government, through NAHPA, Ministry of Health, together with local organisations like Journey of Hope Botswana and The Fighters Support Group, were all going out as they were taking breast cancer awareness from hospitals to homes, cities to cattle posts.

“From mobile clinics in remote villages to health talks at kgotlas and workplaces, we are building a national movement, that breast cancer can be prevented,” said Ms Rakgotla.

She was quick to point out that not every case of breast cancer could be prevented, but many could be delayed and even avoided by changing the way one lived.

Being active, eating better by choosing fresh fruits and veggies, not processed junk, limit alcohol, stop smoking, she said were habits people should adopt, adding that tobacco was a known cancer culprit.  A healthy lifestyle is not just about looking good, but about living longer and stronger, Ms Rakgotla said.

She highlighted that October was not just about pink ribbons and T-shirts, “October is a reminder that breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence.

Ms Rakgotla emphasised that Botswana had joined the global goal to reduce breast cancer deaths by 2.5 per cent every year until 2040, a move that she said could save 2.5 million lives worldwide.

She said government was stepping up through early detection as screening services were being brought into local clinics and outreach programmes in rural areas.

Ms Rakgotla also mentioned education, adding that through national campaigns, radio dramas (hello Makgabaneng!) and partnerships with media and community leaders were spreading the word.

She called on individuals to play a part, talk about breast cancer and start conversations at home, church and work, learn how to do a breast self-examination monthly, as well encourage loved ones to get screened, saying early detection saves lives, support local support groups as they made the journey less lonely and live healthier.

“Breast cancer can happen to anyone, women, men, young, old, but together, we can catch it early, we can treat it effectively and we can save lives, so, Itse Mabele a Gago. Tshwara. Leba. Tlhatloba, because knowing your body might just save it,” said Ms Rakgotla. ENDS