A new campaign to raise breast cancer awareness and early detection has been launched by a local charity in Bahrain.

The initiative was created by Think Pink Bahrain, in collaboration with Lowe Mena, a group of young designers who have supported the charity since it was established.

"The campaign is an awakening, it is awareness since knowledge is power," said Think Pink Bahrain founder and chairwoman Jules Sprakel.

"A touch is all you need, it's about early detection and spreading hope and passing on the light."

Posters and advertisements in English and Arabic highlighting the campaign will be distributed across Bahrain to mark International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October.

"Communication is the key, by sharing your knowledge and experience you are spreading awareness," said Think Pink Bahrain vice-chairwoman Tahera Al Alawi.

"Breast cancer is the number one cancer affecting women globally. When we come together as a community we can achieve the maximum awareness. You won't achieve awareness overnight, but it comes through various things, doing lectures, events or just speaking to someone. The campaign is very interactive this time and we want everyone to be a part of it," she added.

Part of the campaign is raising money for a digital Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which will be donated to Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

It will be the country's first MRI dedicated to detecting breast cancer and is described as the best tool for screening the condition in young women.

Think Pink Bahrain will hold various fundraising and awareness events next month, including a gala dinner event and golf tournaments for men and women.

It will also team up with clubs, organisations and companies in Bahrain to help collect funds for the MRI and spread awareness.

"I thought we would have the money for the machine by now, but no one could have envisioned what Bahrain went through this year," said Sprakel. "I really want to have the machine this year. We need private donations and have pitched for private and corporate sponsors.”

"Breast cancer is not confined to the immediate family or neighbours, but has a domino effect on businesses and puts a strain on the healthcare system when it isn't detected early enough," she said.

"That's why I would encourage businesses to donate," Sprakel added.
Think Pink Bahrain started raising money for the MRI last year following a request by the Health Ministry and the then Oncology Centre head Dr Shubbar Mohammed.

"They said because women were getting cancer in their 20s and 30s, this machine was needed," said Sprakel.

"According to statistics from SMC, women are being diagnosed in their 30s having stage three and four breast cancer. Mammograms are useful to detect cancer in older women but this machine is the diagnostic tool that can detect breast cancer in younger women,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service