General
Source: The Chronicle
Thousands of women were last Friday taken through an extensive breast cancer screening exercise at Bechem, in the Tano South district, as part of this year's Breast Cancer Awareness celebration.
The programme, which was also meant to educate the women on the dangers associated with the breast cancer disease, was preceded by a float in the morning through the principal streets of the district capital, with lots of people in attendance.
It was to sensitise and create more awareness about the need for regular screening of the breast for early detection and treatment of cancers.
Performed under the auspices of the Breast Care International (BCI) and Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi, the programme was under the theme "Breast Cancer Awareness: Join the Fight, Get Involved," and formed part of "Pink October Month" on the public health campaign and awareness programme.
Addressing participants at the premises of the Community Centre, the President of the Breast Care International and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, emphasised that the good thing about breast cancer was that early detection was key to its treatment, and that when cancers were detected early in the breast, people could be treated with minimal surgery, drugs, and radiotherapy, without having their breast removed, since most women run away from mastectomy (removal of the breast).
"It is not all cases that will result in mastectomy," she said, adding that reporting the disease late allowed the cancer to spread.
She noted that lack of proper education on the disease, and the superstitious perception about the effects of breast cancer, had resulted in many women dying from the disease without being aware, stressing that the right education and sensitisation would help eliminate the dangers associated with the deadly disease.
Mrs. (Dr.) Wiafe Addai, therefore, called on women to participate fully in regular screening exercises to protect them from falling prey to the breast cancer disease.
On his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tano South, Mr. Zakari Bukari Anaba, said the government appreciated the dangers associated with the breast cancer disease, and that it was doing everything it could to help fight it.
He, therefore, advised women not to delay whenever they experience new sensations in their breasts, urging them to report to the hospital for proper treatment, in order to save their lives.
The DCE also commended Breast Care International and the Peace and Love Hospital for bringing the education to the community.