By Ellen Samura
Breast cancer is silently claiming the lives of thousands of women in Sierra Leone, but a new nationwide campaign led by Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) is determined to change that.
At the launch of the Breast Cancer Awareness and Sensitization Campaign in Freetown, health experts, policymakers, and corporate leaders sounded the alarm over the urgent need for prevention, early detection, and treatment. The campaign marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the country, spotlighting what many are calling a national health emergency.
In 2022, Sierra Leone saw almost 2,000 new cancer diagnoses and approximately 1,334 deaths, according to the Global Cancer Observatory. Women represented 52% of these deaths, with breast cancer being a primary cause.
“Across Africa, too many cancers are detected too late. In Sierra Leone, women are dying needlessly from a disease that is both detectable and treatable if caught early,” said Olayinka Philips, director of audit at SLCB, as she announced the bank’s $27,500 donation toward a new mammogram machine and community screenings.
Philips stressed that only five African countries have organised national screening programmes, underscoring Sierra Leone’s urgent need to prioritize awareness and accessible diagnostic services.
Orange Sierra Leone CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, pledged to expand access, recalling the company’s journey since 2015 in advancing breast cancer advocacy. “Last year, we screened 1,400 women. This year, our target is 2,500. No woman should die from a disease that can be detected early,” he said.
Government support was clear, with Deputy Health Minister Dr. Charles Senesie praising the campaign’s alignment with national health priorities. “Our vision is zero preventable maternal deaths by 2038. To achieve that, we must also tackle diseases like breast cancer that devastate women and families,” he said.
Oncologist Dr. Isaac Smalle provided critical insights into the signs, risk factors, and treatment options, while stressing that cultural stigma, limited diagnostic infrastructure, and lack of awareness remain major barriers.
The campaign will roll out school and workplace sensitization, community screenings, survivor support, and public education initiatives, with the ultimate aim of saving lives.
If there is one thing health experts have agreed on, it is that awareness is the first line of defense against breast cancer. By educating communities, breaking stigma, and providing access to screening, advocates believe the country can reverse its grim statistics and give women a fighting chance.
As the campaign gains momentum, one message resonates clearly: breast cancer is not just a women’s issue—it is a national crisis that demands urgent, united action.
