Amidst shaking to Suzan Owiyo's music, and admiring the cosy ambience at the venue of the Zamani concert, which was Emin Pasha Hotel, lay a deeper message. A message that many a woman will cherish throughout her life time.

The reality of every woman's vulnerability to breast cancer and what she must do to curb her chances and those of other women of getting the disease.

"One of the messages we wanted to convey at this concert is awareness of the disease, and reporting early for treatment," Founder and Chairperson of Uganda Women's Cancer Support Organization (UWOCASO) Ms Speciosa T. Kabwegyere said. Having gone through a roster of doctors who had failed to detect that the lump in her left breast was the beginnings of cancer, Ms Kabwegyere knows that many women are not informed about the disease.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001," she said. And the mother of four who sought treatment in Cuba was honoured to be part of the Zamani concert.

UWOCASO which comprises breast cancer survivors partnered with the Zamani season 3, to highlight the plight of one of today's under publicised women's challenges-Cancer, together with National Breast Cancer Care Fund Uganda, that distributed literature relating to breast cancer.

Initiatives like self breast examination (SBE) were encouraged. "Women should know how their breasts normally look or feel and quickly report any new breast changes to a health professional," said Ms Kabwegyere, who added that finding a breast change, doesn't necessary mean one has cancer. "But it's important to quickly report any changes to be on the safe side."

Other women, who came to be entertained by the 2002 Kora award nominee Suzan Owiyo, were encouraged by the message behind the concert. Ms Ruth Kibuka whose mother died of cancer last year in July was happy that breast cancer was getting highlighted.

"When my mother had cancer, honestly we didn't even know of this body. We just knew it was a death sentence. But with the testimonies of survivors, I know women stand a chance" said Ms Kibuka.

Other women who attended the concert where also educated more about the plight of breast cancer, in Uganda. Ms Sheila Lubega, who prior to the concert knew little about breast cancer, was left with some useful information about the disease courtesy of the leaflets handed out relating to breast cancer.

"We were handed leaflets about National Breast Cancer Care Fund, an organisation I didn't know about which definitely I'm going to read about and know more about this problem affecting women all over"

Some like Ms Rita Mugisha where touched by the survivors' stories. "When Speciosa read out that poem "Undulating hills of womanhood", about a cancer survivor, I was touched as a woman. And despite not having any problems with breast cancer in my family, I'm going to make sure my daughter knows about this problem, and avoid it."

One problem though which has worn out the chair person of UWOCASO, is the giving of testimonials. "Honestly I'm tired of the media and everyone else focusing on testimonials.

The questions to be asked should be what should be done to raise awareness and treatment of breast cancer," said Ms Kabwegyere. And through the concert, awareness of the plight of Breast cancer was well highlighted to the diverse women present.

Owiyo, who had taken us through one of those unforgettable, high energy performances, dedicated her last performance to all the cancer sufferers and survivors to whom she said, "never give up the struggle", and with that she dedicated Malaika to the noble cause which was part of her brilliant performance.