On Saturday, breast cancer survivors took part in a walk in Monrovia to raise awareness about the disease and push for early detection and care. The walk was part of the annual awareness campaign of the Liberia Cancer Resource Initiative (LCRI), a Liberian group focused on breast and cervical cancer. The event marked the final day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide.
Among the survivors who spoke at the walk was Benejane Shaw, who had surgery and ten cycles of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Shaw credited the John F. Kennedy Medical Center and her oncologist, Dr. Deddeh Supuwood, with her recovery. She said early detection saves lives and that she is a living testimony to this.
Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, a lawyer and former presidential candidate, also spoke at the walk, tying the disease to the country's governance problems. He said corruption and cancer both start with the letter C and that the two need to be swept from Liberia.
Another survivor, Florence B. Tugbeh, described the toll of treatment and her recovery. She said anyone who says cancer cannot be healed is lying and that she is now healthy and growing her hair back after treatment. Tugbeh thanked supporters in Liberia and abroad, including the President and his wife, and asked for help for Dr. Supuwood to continue her studies.
For LCRI Executive Director Christine E. Brooks-Jarrett, the walk was a demonstration of solidarity and collective action. The campaign exists to educate the public, break the stigma surrounding cancer, and encourage women to prioritize their health and get screened. Brooks-Jarrett said cancer awareness must be a year-round effort.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in Liberia, with an estimated 885 new cases and 421 deaths in 2024. The country has no population-based cancer registry, making the true toll uncertain. Dr. Deddeh Supuwood, a medical oncologist at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, said her ultimate dream is that no Liberian woman should easily die from breast cancer.
Liberia's health system faces challenges in providing cancer care, with no radiotherapy machines, radiation oncologists, or national breast and cervical cancer screening programs. However, things are changing slowly, with the construction of the country's first national radiotherapy center and the donation of medical equipment. Officials say more needs to be done to address the growing cancer burden, and the LCRI remains committed to advocating for better access to screening and care.
Key points
- The walk aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer and push for early detection and care in Liberia.
- Liberia faces challenges in providing cancer care, including a lack of radiotherapy machines and a national screening program.
- The country's cancer burden is growing, with an estimated 4,217 new cases and 2,745 deaths in 2024.
