Fight against women’s cancers: students made aware by the NGO VISA
- Posted on 10/03/2026 16:28
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg
Extract from the article: To mark the International Women’s Day, the NGO International Volunteers for Health Promotion in Africa (VISA) has chosen to hit hard: raise awareness among students at the African Institute of Administration and Business Studies (IAEC) about female c
To
mark the International Women’s Day, the NGO International Volunteers for Health
Promotion in Africa (VISA) has chosen to hit hard: raise awareness among
students at the African Institute of Administration and Business Studies (IAEC)
about female cancers, notably breast cancer and cervical cancer.
The
session, moderated by Dr. Damien Ekoué Kouvahey, head of the NGO VISA, began
with a striking reminder of the issues: "The main danger of these cancers
is that they remain silent in the early stages. Many patients only consult when
the disease is advanced. The consequences can be dramatic: infertility, heavy
treatments, even death," he explained, drawing keen attention in the
assembly.
The
doctor then detailed the causes and means of prevention. For cervical cancer,
he recommends smear screening or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), as
well as vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for young girls.
Regarding breast cancer, he insists on monthly self-examination from the age of
20, regular clinical examinations and mammography according to risk factors.
"Prevention saves lives. Detected early, cancer is no longer
inevitable," he said.
The
students welcomed this awareness, which allowed them to better understand
women’s cancers and learn how to protect their health. The meeting gave rise to
exchanges on the cost of screening, care structures and warning signs to
monitor.
For
the NGO VISA, this initiative illustrates its desire to promote community
health and reduce the burden of female cancers in Togo. Raising awareness among
young people is a strategic lever: by reaching students, future citizens and
actors in society, information spreads more widely and more quickly.
William O.
