Public health nurses from the Maternal and Child Health Hospital led engaging sessions on risk factors associated with Breast Cancer; the causes of the disease; its different strains and stages; curative and restoration options as well as preventive methods.

Harping the need for regular health screening, Public health Nurse Akua Yeboah emphasized the critical role early detection plays in preventing the disease from getting into a malignant and invasive stage.

We are in October, the Pink Month dedicated to breast care and we are encouraging everyone to avail themselves in any place where medics are conducting breast examination because early detection is the best.

“When we detect it early, we are able to treat but if you don’t screen we wouldn’t be able to detect it. Breast Cancer does not give any warning signs and symptoms until it reaches its late stage when the disease and its effects are far advanced,” she cautioned.

AWS Advocacy

Reinforcing the message that breast cancer campaigns are a shared responsibility, both male and female staff joined in the advocacy and activities slated for the campaign.

Female Staff further took advantage of a designated on-campus makeshift screening center to get their breasts examined by the medics. 

Bernard Asibe, a Twi and Global Perspectives teacher was positive the exercise will help save lives and transform the health seeking behavior of several women.

““Even though it affects both men and women, Breast Cancer is one of the most common issues affecting millions of women across the world and there is the need for people to be knowledgeable about it. This advocacy is aimed at ensuring that the information makes a positive impact in the lives of especially our women, “he pointed out.

“The public must know that one of the risk factors is hereditary or genetic as well as unhealthy lifestyle patterns like alcoholism and smoking. Preventing this can also help reduce the risks of breast cancers preschool teacher Anabel Idun indicated.

Creative Arts Teacher Phix Boateng averted the minds of the school community to the emotional and financial cost involved in managing late stage cancer and the irrecoverable loss of life that could be occasioned by the disease with a strong advice for regular screening.

School Administrator Salimatu Hawini encouraged women to be minded about the risk of death associated with the disease and be ready to take all possible steps to avert the unimaginable.

Nursery teacher Saloméy Amezah Aggrey emphasized the importance of self-breast examination as a cost-effective and accessible preventive method that every woman can practice with proper guidance.

Breast Cancer Outlook

Breast cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths with the year 2022 recording an estimated 2.3 million new breast cancer cases and 670,000 deaths.

The situation is no different in Ghana as the country diagnoses 4,500 cases annually with some 50% of diagnoses resulting in death,

The fatalities remain high as 7 in every 10 women with breast cancer visit the hospitals with late stage cancer.

As Abofra World School closed its Pinktober observance, the message from staff and health professionals remained clear:

“Early detection is protection.”

By: Ivan Heathcote – Fumador