In honor of the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, International Hospital Kampala (IHK), in partnership with International Air Ambulance (IAA) offered a free breast cancer screening drive to raise awareness about the illness, giving information on lifestyle and risk factors.
Approximately 600 ladies took part in the free breast Cancer Awareness Camp at Garden City from the 13th to 15th October 2011.The heavy rains didn’t deter women and a few men who showed up to get sensitized about the killer disease.
Attendees were taken through counseling and information sessions on breast cancer, cervical cancer, lifestyle and cancer in children among others. Breast cancer screening and demonstrations on how to do breast self-examination were done by our nurses and doctors on site.

Dr. Helena Nam, an Oncologist at IHK says “Although breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers in Uganda, many people are NOT fully aware of the aetiology, prevention, treatment and other pertinent health information that could mitigate the situation.”
Erina Nabulime one of the ladies who got screened said, “I think this campaign has been impactful because it has helped to inform people on how to carry out self-tests which help one to detect the disease early, and specific places that one can go to for tests in case of any signs.”
Overall, the camp was successful on the basis that it met its objectives. We expect the over 600 attendees, to share what they learnt with others who could not make it. IAA plans on making this an annual event.