‘Breast Cancer is Not Death Sentence’

By Mohamed Sankoh

Sierra Leone has marked a historic moment with the country’s first-ever Breast Cancer Women’s Survivorship Ceremony dialogue and celebrating resilience, hope, and empowerment among survivors.

The dialogue was also focused on strengthening partnerships between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom in the fight against cancer.

The event was organized at the Freetown International Conference Centre, Bintumani Hote’l, Aberdeen in Freetown by Cancer UK-Salone in collaboration with Caritas Sierra Leone, which brought together survivors, healthcare experts, policymakers, diplomats and advocates for women’s health to promote awareness, early detection and psychosocial support for breast cancer patients and survivors.

Delivering his address, Rev. Father Peter Konteh, Executive Director of Caritas Sierra Leone, started by emphasizing the importance of faith in the face of health challenges.

He said “amidst our challenges, particularly within our health sector, we must choose to adopt a positive attitude and encourage others to rise above their circumstances which is  what we are doing here today by sharing testimonies of those who have not only survived but are striving to thrive despite the difficulties they face.”

He described the ceremony as a delightful and historic moment highlighting the unity between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom as a bridge for knowledge sharing and collective action against cancer.

 “This organization stands as that bridge—connecting our perspectives and helping us better understand and combat cancer a disease often considered deadly because time is such a crucial factor in every medical situation Father Konteh noted.

“Too often, we wait we feel something unusual, but instead of acting, we delay. That waiting can sometimes prove more harmful than the illness itself. The timing of intervention when we act—is what saves lives,” he said.

Father Konteh called for greater awareness and community education on early detection urging Sierra Leoneans not to wait when it comes to their health.

“Together, through hope, education, and compassion, we can help our communities overcome fear and take action for their well-being,” he concluded.

In her keynote statement, Tina Davies OBE, OOR, Founder and President of Cancer UK-Salone, described the ceremony as a long-awaited milestone for women’s health advocacy.

“It is a joy and privilege to welcome you all to the very first Breast Cancer Women’s Survivorship Ceremony,” she said. “Today, we gather to create a safe, empowering space where our voices unite to celebrate courage and accelerate action in the fight against breast cancer.”

She drew attention to the silence surrounding breast cancer in discussions on women’s health, calling for greater inclusion and openness.

 “We speak of reproductive health and gender disparity, yet breast cancer remains largely ignored, even though the breast is a vital reproductive organ.

 “It is time we speak openly and boldly about it.”

Ms. Davies emphasized that awareness must be matched with action, calling for improved access to early detection, treatment and mental health support.

“Women are the bedrock of families and the heartbeat of our communities. Yet too many of their stories end too soon not because the disease is unbeatable, but because as a society we respond too slowly,” she said.

She called on policymakers, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure inclusion in cancer care.

 “True inclusion means being heard, supported, and valued. When women are empowered to speak openly about their bodies, when health systems respond swiftly, and when men become allies, then we truly achieve inclusion not as a slogan, but as a shared reality through coordination, collaboration, and compassion,” she added.

Ms. Davies also acknowledged the growing role of men in breast cancer advocacy, noting that 4% of men can also develop the disease.

“Together, we can make breast cancer no longer a death sentence but a story of resilience and recovery. Let us rise not in fear, but in faith. Let us act—not someday, but today—because every woman deserves not only to survive but to thrive,” she declared.

May-Marie Dowai-Sowa, Special Envoy for International Relations, Trade, and Investment for the Government of Sierra Leone in Canada, praised the event’s focus on empathy and inclusion in cancer care.

 “In bridging the gap in cancer care and providing continued support, awareness, and resources for victims and survivors, we gather today with bold intention,” she said. “We gather not just to talk, but to listen, to feel, and to take meaningful steps to accelerate action in women’s cancer care.”

She explained that the ‘Circle Talks’ model introduced by Cancer UK-Salone, creates safe spaces for women to share their experiences and heal through dialogue and community.

“Circles remind us that healing is not linear. They reflect the healing power that extends through the warm embrace of our loved ones, caregivers, and support networks,” she noted.

Dowai-Sowa described breast cancer as a social justice issue, emphasizing that equity and dignity in healthcare must be priorities.

“Socioeconomic disparities, geography, and lack of awareness often determine who gets trained, who gets treated, and who gets heard. Every woman’s cancer journey is unique—from diagnosis to survival or loss—it is one of resilience, courage, and tenacity,” she said.

“Watching my mother’s courageous battle as a two-time cancer survivor has shown me the strength this disease demands—but also the power of faith, family, and community.”

The event concluded with renewed calls for policy reform, awareness campaigns, and international collaboration to ensure that cancer care in Sierra Leone becomes more inclusive, timely, and compassionate.

Participants—including survivors, medical practitioners, community leaders, and international partners—pledged to continue advocating for early detection, improved treatment access, and psychosocial support for cancer patients nationwide.

As Sierra Leone joins the global movement for breast cancer awareness and survivor empowerment, the message from the event was clear:

“Breast cancer is not a death sentence—it is a journey of resilience, faith, and hope.”