Poem – ‘Pink October’
It is that time of the year again, October.
The month of free breast cancer screening
Examining for malignant tumours in our breasts
It occurs rarely in men, and mostly in women
It is that time again, time to save a boob, a life
A constituent of women burdening diseases in the world
Signs are breast pain, swelling of all or part of the breast
Also nipple pain, redness, nipple discharge other than milk
With various symptoms, some tumours are benign, not cancerous
Be conscious of the symptoms, still screening is important
Though common in older men, it can occur at any age
A lump or thickening of breast tissue, symptoms are alike
Family history of breast cancer, one of the common risk factors
Time to see a doctor is now, especially with persistent signs
Monthly breast self-exam is wise, but get free screening this month
It is highly curable, if detected in the early stages
Treatment depends on the stage of cancer, please hurry
Might be surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy
Also biological treatment, hormone therapy and other
Still the best is patient education and survivorship programs.
Poem by: Takunda Mlambo
+263783534682|takundamlambo5@gmail.com