Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has urged Ghanaians to avoid false beliefs and misconceptions that breast cancer is spiritual and instead seek treatment as soon as possible to save lives.
As more cases of the fatal condition—which has no known causes—were being recorded globally, she stated, “forget about people’s ideas and myths on it having spiritual linkages, the sickness has no connection with spirituality.It is not only Ghanaian women that suffer breast cancer.”
She said that cancer was the leading cause of death for women and urged people to quit hiding in their homes, idly spending time at prayer gatherings, and going to unlicensed medical facilities in order to combat breast cancer.
Out of the 4000 diagnoses, more than 2000 Ghanaian women lose their lives to breast cancer each year.
This reflects the close to 50% of women who suffer needlessly from this illness.
She addressed this at the Ahafo-Ano North Municipal Municipality’s Tepa during the 10th BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure.
Thousands of famous people, students, and other people attended this year’s walk along Tepa’s main streets.
“Breast Cancer Won’t Rest, So Why Should We,” was the event’s theme.
According to Dr. Wiafe Addai, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, breast cancer does not stay in the breast alone; if it is not treated early, it can spread to other organs such as the lungs, brain, liver, and bone. She added that secondary prevention, or early detection and prompt action, was the best course of action.
The BCI and the Peace and Love Hospitals have fought a war against the disease in Ghana and the African continent due to breast cancer’s lethal character. In order to combat and reduce the number of people dying from the treatable disease, she pleaded for help from all relevant parties.
The program’s host, Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem I, Tepamanhene, stressed the importance of public health and the need to treat breast cancer seriously in light of its grave repercussions.
He argued that the government ought to continue the conversation and introduce programs to help the BCI lower the number of breast cancer fatalities.
In order to aid women in seeking early treatment and advancing their wellbeing, the Tepamanhene promised to provide land for BCI to erect a breast care facility in the region.
The municipal chief executive of Ahafo-Ano North, Madam Martina Appiah-Nyantakyi, reaffirmed the seriousness of the disease’s effects and urged women to get treatment as soon as possible to save their lives.
About
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness of this complex disease and fund research into its causes, treatment, and cure.
Since 1985, individuals, businesses, and communities have come together every October to show their support for the many people affected by breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a time to reflect, give back, or even celebrate.
Yet, for many people, BreastCancer Awareness Month is also a difficult reminder of their personal experience with breast cancer and the many lives they have lost to this disease.
Today, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is commemorated all over the world by thousands of women, charities, and organizations.
Its key aim is to encourage people to tell their story, raise awareness and funds for research of the disease.
The Pink Ribbon is now an international symbol of support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Source: The Independent Ghana