The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's Afrikaans radio station, Hartklop FM, has partnered with the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) to help raise awareness about cancer.

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent type of cancer in Namibia, with more than 3,700 cases reported in the last decade.

Women aged 55 to 60 are mostly affected, although young women are also getting diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.

Hartklop FM has now joined the CAN by using nbc platforms to spread the message about the disease and assist the association to generate funds.

According to recent studies conducted by CAN, breast cancer has been diagnosed mainly in the Oshiwambo and Baster communities, which inherit the cancer gene through the maternal lineage.

Other contributing factors can be obesity, smoking, multiple radiation exposures, and over screening.

"We engage with the Cancer Association of Namibia on a regular basis to discuss the different types of cancer, where people can get screened and tested, and also where they can go for treatment. We also conducted interviews with patients and survivors to get their stories out there and possibly encourage others," explained Ingrid Kisting, a Field Producer and Radio Presenter at Hartklop FM.

Hartklop FM is encouraging women to get tested and get screened for breast as well as cervical cancer on a regular basis.