“Life does not end with a diagnosis”: Luzimira João, from the Angolan Association against Breast Cancer

In 2020 They were diagnosed 2.3 million cases 685,000 people died breast cancerAccording to the latest data issued by the World Health Organization.

How to prevent breast cancer? Pink October movement It aims primarily to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early diagnosis, as well as to support research in this field.

Luzimira João is the President of the Angolan League Against Cancer (LACC). She was diagnosed with the condition herself when she was 29 years old, and insists on the importance of screening for the disease, especially since the peculiarity of a malignant tumor (or cancer) is that it spreads to other organs.

“The chance of recovery is up to 95% when breast cancer is diagnosed early.”

The earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the chance of treatment. “There is up to a 95% chance of cure when breast cancer is diagnosed earlyThis prevents the spread of the tumor to other organs in the body and the body Development of other types of cancer.

That’s why Lozimira is João He snorted like Provided you are able to live.”With quality of life“ For several years.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide

In Angola, as in the rest of the world, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer, according to data from the National Cancer Centre.

The first step to take to fight breast cancer is Adopt a healthy lifestyleLozimira recommends João.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating as much as possible, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and excessive alcohol consumption, are our allies in the fight against cancer.

Battle of Joao Lusimira and complications in the Angolan oncology sector

Treatment depends not only on the type of breast cancer, but also on the level of development it was at when it was diagnosed. In the case of Lusimira, the diagnosis was made early and treatment was started with surgery:

I had a biopsy done first to make sure the result was correct. She subsequently underwent conservative surgery, but after pathological evaluation, it was necessary to remove the entire breast and undergo eight cycles of chemotherapy. I was recommended to undergo radiotherapy but it was not a treatment available at that time in Angola.

In order to be treated, Lusimira João then traveled to Portugalbut due to Bureaucratic issues Which took a long time, when I arrived in Portugal, Loss of medical treatment standards: “Until today, unfortunately, I have not received radiotherapy because I missed the indication for this treatment because there is a time limit between one treatment and another.“.

Lusimira’s story as an oncology patient It reveals a series of complexities in the Angolan health system.

Unfortunately, we still do not have all the resources needed to deal with the treatment. I was lucky to be diagnosed early. But between diagnosis and treatment, she faced several obstacles, such as the lack of availability of radiotherapy in Angola. Other tests, such as immunohistochemistry, were also not available at that time and I could not have them performed.

“The resources available for oncology at this time do not meet the demand imposed“, warns. Difficulties start from Lack of specialized doctorsAccording to the president of the Angolan Association against Breast Cancer, even Lack of resources.

Another problem is that there is only one public hospital that diagnoses breast cancer in Angola, based in Luanda.

This means that there are people in other provinces of the country who often die without being able to be diagnosed. Sometimes, they cannot even get to Luanda to get a diagnosis, and often, when they arrive, they already have very advanced disease.

“Life does not end with a diagnosis”

As President of the Angolan Association Against Cancer, First claim By Luzimira João He goes “Directly to the Government of Angola“:

I would like to draw attention to what can be done to treat oncology in Angola. [Precisamos de] Legislation to protect cancer patients, which does not apply in our country, is not included in our Constitution.

As a person and Cancer patientLeave the following message, For women and men, which represents 1% of diagnosed cases:

For everyone, not just women, because this is another taboo that comes up, 1% of diagnosed cases affect men. For all of us, what I want to leave as a message is to take care of yourself, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Pay attention to the warning signals your body sends. For those with the disease: life does not end with a diagnosis. It is a very painful and difficult process, but it is possible to overcome it and live with some kind of life for a long time.

The Angola Anti-Cancer Association participated in Awareness march Against Breast Cancer, which was held on Avenida Marginal in Luanda on October 22nd. The Association also organizes a An exhibition titled “Arte ao Peito” runs until November 13 at the Agostino Neto Monument in Luanda.