Ntsoaki Motaung
Thabiso Lekitla, the Member of Parliament for Mekaling, expressed his astonishment at the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus for failing to acknowledge or commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In a parliamentary session on Monday, Lekitla remarked on the significance of October, which is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a month dedicated to raising awareness about this critical health issue.
He said he was particularly taken aback that the month was about to conclude without any statement or initiative from parliament, especially the women’s caucus.
Likitla raised his concerns emphatically, pointing out the alarming increase in breast cancer cases and the urgent need for awareness.
“It is imperative that the month is commemorated,” he stated and urged the women’s caucus to take action either before the month ended or shortly thereafter.
“Before the month could end or after, the women’s caucus should lead us in discussions about breast cancer, just as it does with issues like gender-based violence (GBV). The nation is frightened by this disease,” he emphasised.
October ended yesterday.
In response to Lekitla’s remarks, Tlohang Sekhamane, the Speaker of the National Assembly, acknowledged the point of order.
Sekhamane stated: “I believe that all stakeholders, including the Minister of Health, should collaborate to ensure that the nation is informed about the status of breast cancer in the country.”
He underscored the importance of engaging in WHO activities, affirming Lesotho’s commitment as a member of the organization.
Dr. Kabelo Mputsoe, a Clinical Radiation Oncologist at the Ministry of Health, advocates for regular cancer screenings, highlighting the concerning statistics that show a higher prevalence of cancer among women in Lesotho, who account for 81 percent of cases.
This data, coupled with ongoing efforts by health organisations, underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention, and early detection in the fight against cancer.
According to WHO, in 2022, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer globally, resulting in 670,000 deaths. Breast cancer affects women of all ages after puberty, with rates escalating in later life.
“Roughly half of all breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age,” WHO reports. Furthermore, breast cancer was the most common cancer among women in 157 out of 185 countries in 2022, a sobering reminder of the global impact of this disease.
