Kinshasa, October 6th, , 2025 (CPA).– Self-examination and mammograms were recommended to women on Monday during a meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, by a gynecologist and obstetrician for the prevention of breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “For women of childbearing age, it is essential to perform self-examination. For those aged 50 to 74, mammograms are recommended,” said Dr. Ally Mashala, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the BMC clinic.
Explaining the procedure, he said that self-examination involves standing in front of a mirror with your upper body bare to observe the symmetry of your breasts and check for any discharge. “If you notice any discharge and you have not recently given birth or had an abortion, this is abnormal,” he said. The healthcare professional detailed the steps to follow: “Put your right hand behind your head, then with your left hand, palpate your right breast, dividing it into four quadrants—lower inner, upper inner, upper outer, and lower outer—moving clockwise.”
According to him, the purpose of this practice is to ensure that there are no foreign bodies or suspicious lumps. He added that breast secretions can be reddish, blackish, or greenish in color and require immediate medical attention. For this “Pink October” month, several hospitals in Kinshasa are offering breast ultrasound and mammography services at reduced rates to make screening more accessible to women, particularly those aged 50 to 74. Dr. Mashala reiterated that early detection is crucial for effective breast cancer treatment.
“If the tumor is detected early, surgery can be performed to remove the suspicious nodules. These samples are then analyzed to determine their nature. The earlier the tumor is detected, the better the chances of recovery,” he explained. On the other hand, late detection often leads to palliative treatment, he lamented. Breast cancer, he recalled, is a disease resulting from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells that form tumors. The month of October, known as Pink October, is dedicated to raising global awareness about the prevention and screening of this disease.