BCI urges women to prioritise breast health to reduce cancer cases , deaths in Ghana

Breast Care International (BCI) has called on Ghanaian women to prioritize their breast health to curb the country's high incidence of breast cancer cases and fatalities. Despite ongoing public education efforts, over 5,000 new cases and 2,300 deaths due to breast cancer occur annually in Ghana.

Speaking at a breast cancer awareness event in Nsawam, Eastern Region, BCI President Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai expressed deep concern over the grim statistics. She emphasized that early detection is crucial to treating breast cancer effectively, stating that the disease becomes more challenging to manage once it reaches an advanced stage.

Dr Wiafe Addai stressed the importance of regular self-breast examinations or routine screenings at health facilities to enable early diagnosis and more effective treatment. She highlighted the organization's commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer across the country to tackle this growing health challenge.

BCI's efforts are supported by partners such as Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, which has demonstrated its commitment to preventing avoidable deaths among women through their continuous support in various initiatives. The hotel's involvement in the campaign is part of their corporate social responsibility to collaborate with BCI in educating women about breast cancer and combating the disease.

Princess Asiedu, the wife of the Assemblies of God Eastern Region B Superintendent, commended Dr Wiafe Addai and the Peace and Love Hospitals for their dedication to fighting breast cancer. She urged married men to support their wives emotionally during breast cancer treatment, preventing them from abandoning their spouses during such trying times.

Dr Elise Cook, a former American Cancer Society representative and volunteer with BCI, noted that breast cancer deaths remain significantly higher in Ghana compared to the United States. She attributed this disparity to the tendency of some women to seek medical attention only when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Dr Cook urged women to seek medical help promptly upon noticing any unusual changes, particularly a lump in the breast, as early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.