President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, has urged women to seek early medical attention to prevent the loss of their breasts.

Dr. Wiafe-Addai holds the assertion that many women avoid hospitals due to their fear of undergoing procedures that may result in the removal of their breasts. This situation, she finds deeply troubling.

“A lot of women run away from the hospital because of Mastectomy, they don’t want to lose the breast we understand, so if you don’t want to lose the breast you have to come early to the hospital,” she urged.

At a breast cancer screening programme at the Assemblies of God Church, Dr. Wiafe-Addai encouraged women to take self-breast examination seriously since the death rate is high.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai charged the media, religious leaders, among others to help lessen the high level of stigma in Ghanaian communities in order to encourage women to visit the hospital.

“I’m appealing to the media, you need to help us to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease, the more we speak about it, the more we showcase survivorship,” she noted.

Breast cancer remains a significant cause of mortality among women worldwide, including in Ghana. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that breast cancer accounted for approximately 16% of all cancer-related deaths in 2020.

The delay in detecting the disease is one of the primary factors contributing to the rise in breast cancer cases. Dr. Wiafe-Addai emphasizes the importance of early detection, as it significantly increases the chances of survival.

Martha Drohobyczer, a nurse practitioner and midwife in Las Vegas, Nevada, highlights the significance of regular breast cancer screening in reducing the disease's prevalence. She urges women to undergo screening on a frequent basis and visit healthcare facilities for this purpose, aiming to effectively combat breast cancer in Ghana. In the United States, volunteer screening has led to a decline in breast cancer cases, according to Drohobyczer.

She advises women not to hesitate in seeking medical attention if they notice any unusual changes or shapes in their breasts.

Rev. Adu Gyamfi Yeboah, the Head Pastor of the Assemblies of God, Upper Room Revival, commends Breast Care International (BCI) for its passionate dedication to fighting breast cancer in Ghana.