As part of activities to mark breast cancer awareness month, the Women’s Commission of the Senior Staff Association, UCC Local in collaboration with Danquah Institute has held a Breast Cancer Symposium at the University of Cape Coast.
The Symposium which was organized on the theme: Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Screening Practices in Ghana form part of the efforts to heighten the campaign among the women in the university and the neighboring communities and to ensure that every woman has access to the screening and the support she deserves.
October is declared 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.
In an address to the participants, a retired Radiographer and a renowned breast cancer advocate, Madam Grace Animwaa encouraged women to take good care of their breasts and prioritize regular mammography for early detection and cure.
She indicated that breast cancer is real and is claiming many lives adding that early detection can save a life.
“Breast Cancer is the excessive growth of the breast cells, uncontrollable through no faults of yours. The cells are multiplying but women you are in the risk group, you can get it. Being a woman, your chance of getting it is very high, even men are getting it.” She said.
She, therefore, said every woman should have her baseline mammography at age forty.
Madam Grace Animwaa also used the occasion to urge people to be conscious of the intake of certain foods and lifestyles which according to her contributes to breast cancer.
She indicated especially women at forty should avoid excessive intake of red meat, sugar, salt, oil, and Maggi adding that regular exercise and checkup of the breast is the way to go to safeguard against breast cancer.
“Woman when you shopping and you are buying a brazier, buy a cotton wool material brazier. The nylon and the rayon, they retain heat.” She added.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Professor Mrs. Rosemond Boohene, on her part, said the breast cancer awareness campaign is something that needs to be lifted high to attract the needed attention it deserves from the relevant stakeholders and policymakers.
“Breast cancer is a health red flag which must be hoisted very high to attract the attention of policymakers, health practitioners and ordinary citizens.” She said.
She indicated that the symposium is in support of the World Health Organization’s aim of reducing breast cancer mortality by 2.5 percent per year through which they introduced three measures to achieve this goal.
These are; early promotion for early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive breast cancer management.
“Today we support the World Health Organization’s cause through the first and second measures. We believe that by so doing, we are contributing to a healthy Ghana in our own small way. Our hope is that the Danquah Institute will continue to partner with the university and build a healthy population.” She added.
In 2020 there were 2.3million diagnoses of breast cancer with six hundred and eighty-five thousand death globally. The mortality rate is higher for women in developing countries.
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
