Mammograms for African Women

Help women in Sierra Leone get mammograms and support.

Breast cancer is no longer a disease found primarily in wealthier countries. All over the world, breast cancer is on the rise. In Sierra Leone, breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women. Most women don't seek treatment until the disease has progressed to stage 3 or stage 4.

Due to the scarcity of equipment and trained radiologists, breast cancer screening is very expensive in many parts of Africa. In Sierra Leone, there is only one mammography machine. Considering most households in Sierra Leone earn less then $375 a year, mammograms are simply unaffordable for most people. For women at highest risk of the disease, getting a mammogram can be the difference between life and death.

Our partner in Sierra Leone is one of the few agencies in the country supporting women at risk for breast cancer. In addition to raising money for mammograms, Develop Africa provides much-needed education about risk factors associated with the disease and the importance of early detection.

You can help. Just $10.00 covers the cost of essential educational materials for breast cancer.

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Report from the Field

September 2016

Through this grant education materials were spread and now many more women in the area understand the importance of “Early Detection” thru’ Self Breast Exams (SBE), Clinical Breast Exams or Mammography check up. Women such as Mrs. Mary D., a 43-year-old Trader who came into the clinic after self-examing and noticing lumps on the right breast. The mammogram identified a lump and she was referred to our doctor for further diagnosis; the results showed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The doctor went on to advise that a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) be performed to avoid further complications. The surgery was performed with no complications; she is doing extremely well now.

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Develop Africa is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to establish meaningful and sustainable development in Africa. Develop Africa was birthed out of the vision that human resource development is the key to improving nation building capacity in Africa. Through training, scholarship, investment and partnerships Develop Africa is helping to develop the people of Africa through the promotion of transformational education, resource development, investment training and strategic empowerment.