Exim Bank provides free breast cancer education and screening

DAR ES SALAAM: EXIM Bank, through its Exim Cares programme, has conducted a breast cancer awareness session at the bank’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, providing employees and members of the surrounding community with health education and free breast cancer screening services.

The initiative forms part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed every October to raise awareness of the disease and encourage early detection. Through the expertise of specialists from Ocean Road Cancer Institute, participants received information on breast cancer symptoms, changes that may require medical attention, the importance of clinical assessment and the steps to take when unusual changes are noticed. The initiative also aimed to address fear and misconceptions that can delay people from seeking medical care.

This year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is guided by the theme “Every Story Is Unique, Every Step Matters,” which highlights the importance of accurate information, appropriate care and support for people affected by breast cancer.

The initiative comes as breast cancer remains a major health challenge globally and in Tanzania. According to estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for 2024, approximately 2.43 million new cases of breast cancer occurred worldwide. In Tanzania, an estimated 3,024 women developed the disease, while 1,492 deaths were attributed to breast cancer that year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the five-year net survival rate among women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2017 and 2021 was estimated at 77.8% globally, compared with 39.1% in the WHO African Region. These figures highlight differences in breast cancer outcomes and the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment.

Speaking about the bank’s involvement in the initiative, Kauthar D’souza, Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications at Exim Bank Tanzania, said the health and well-being of the bank’s employees and the wider community remain an important part of its commitment through Exim Cares.

“Community health requires collaboration and collective action. Through Exim Cares, we support initiatives that help our employees and the wider community access reliable health information and understand the importance of taking action at the right time. We believe that raising awareness about breast cancer is an important step towards promoting health and encouraging access to appropriate healthcare services,” said D’souza.

“According to WHO, approximately 80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no known specific risk factors other than being female and increasing age. Not having a family history of breast cancer does not mean that a person cannot develop the disease. This reinforces the importance of being aware of changes in the body and seeking professional advice, when necessary,” she added.

Dr Maguha Stephano, from Ocean Road Cancer Institute,  emphasised the importance of community education and early healthcare-seeking in addressing breast cancer.

“It is important for communities to have accurate information about breast cancer and not allow fear or misconceptions to prevent them from seeking healthcare. People should be aware of changes in their bodies and seek professional advice when they notice anything unusual, such as a lump in the breast or armpit, or changes in the skin of the breast or nipple. Timely clinical assessment helps facilitate diagnosis and appropriate care,” said Dr Stephano.

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Exim Cares is Exim Bank’s corporate social responsibility programme, which aims to improve lives through initiatives in health, education, environment, innovation and financial literacy. In the health sector, the bank has supported blood donation campaigns in partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), provided medical equipment to strengthen hospital services and supported improvements to the care environment for patients experiencing mental health challenges. These efforts reflect the bank’s commitment to advancing community health and well-being.

Exim Bank Tanzania encourages its employees and the wider community to make health a priority, seek professional advice on appropriate screening and promptly consult healthcare professionals if they notice unusual changes in their bodies.