Breast cancer is not a death sentence – Besease Kontire Obaapanin, Magmina Foundation lead awareness campaign

The Kontire Obaapanin of Ejisu Besease, Nana Yaa Aninwaa Boddom, along with the Magmina Foundation, recently conducted a breast cancer awareness and free examination event at Madona Hospital in Ashanti Region. This initiative took place during October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aiming to raise awareness, promote early detection, and encourage women and young ladies to take their breast health seriously.

The event brought together numerous community members, including women, young ladies, community leaders, and health professionals.

During the programme, Nana Yaa Aninwaa Boddom, a retired Principal Physician Assistant, stressed the importance of early detection in saving lives. She highlighted that many women lose their lives to breast cancer due to delayed reporting to healthcare facilities. She warned against self-medication and self-diagnosis, urging participants to seek prompt medical attention from recognised health facilities.

Nana Yaa also called on spouses and community leaders to encourage women to undergo regular screenings, rather than stigmatising those affected by the disease.

Nurse Specialist Abigail Ababio educated participants on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, risk factors, prevention methods, and the importance of regular clinical checks. She clarified that breast cancer can affect both men and women, urging everyone to pay attention to changes in their breasts and seek timely medical care. Health personnel from Madona Hospital conducted free breast examinations for all attendees, providing practical demonstrations of breast self-examination.

Community members expressed gratitude for the intervention, calling for its continuation and expansion to other communities within the Ejisu Municipality. The Magmina Foundation, established in 2022 by Ms. Rosemary Mroba Gaisie and Ms. Angelina Asantewaa Yeboah, aims to support education and healthcare facilities in underserved communities in Ghana.

This initiative is part of their broader efforts to improve women's health, dispel myths surrounding breast cancer, and reduce mortality rates through education and accessible screening.