Gender

50 women screened for breast cancer in Hohoe

Some participants at the event

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Forshes Africa Foundation, has organised a breast cancer awareness campaign in Hohoe, and educated residents on the need to ensure regular screening exercise for cancer for early detection and treatment.

The one-day cancer screening exercise, which was under the theme: “Early detection save lives”, saw 50 women screened for the disease, and those who were suspected of early development of cancer were referred to the Volta Regional Hospital at Hohoe for further medical examination.

Speaking at the programme, the Project Manager of Forshes Africa Foundation (FAF), Pastor Nana Jones Boame, stressed the need for women who were mostly victims of breast cancer to at all times take proactive measures to ensure they were safe from the disease.

Referencing Proverbs 27: 12 of the Bible which read “the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty,” Pastor Boame emphasised the need to be cautious and take preventive actions to avoid harm.

He explained that in the context of breast cancer, early detection through screening was a wise and proactive step to potentially save lives through early diagnosis and treatment.

According to him, it was important for breast cancer survivors both male and females to share their experiences in order to offer hope to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, saying breast cancer also affects men but was only prevalent among women.

An Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Volta Regional Hospital, Mr Jonas Ntikie Njibe, explained that breast cancer simply occurred when cells in the breast grew uncontrollably, which could affect men and women but commonly found among women, therefore it was important for men to also screen and know their breast cancer status.

Mr Njibe said there was the need for people to adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating balanced diet which were crucial means to reduce cancer in the society.

From Samuel Agbewode, Hohoe

Gender

Data on awareness, late presentation of breast cancer cases worrying — Frimpong-Manso Institute

Rev Prof Paul Frimpong-Manso

The Frimpong-Manso Institute has described as worrying prevailing data showing the gap in awareness and late presentation of cases at healthcare facilities by breast cancer patients.

It said most women in Ghana present breast cancer at advanced stages (III or IV), largely due to lack of awareness, cultural beliefs (beliefs in traditional medicine) and limited access to healthcare facilities.

In a statement copied to The Spectator, it stated that the delay in the detection and treatment of breast cancer had greatly reduced the survival rates of patients, adding that the high cost of diagnosis and treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy presents a significant barrier for many women.

It said even though the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana covers some aspects of cancer care, there persists a significant gap in financing the management of the condition.

It said breast cancer was a significant public health concern in Ghana, as it is in many parts of the world with ongoing efforts to improve detection, treatment and survival outcomes.

According to the Institute, in 2020, the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimated that Ghana reported around 4,600 new cases of breast cancer, with a mortality rate of approximately 2,055 deaths annually.

“This type of cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed among women with increasing incidence due to several factors, including lifestyle changes, urbanisation and improved detection methods,” it added.

It said in Ghana, breast cancer tends to affect younger women with many cases diagnosed in women under 50, unlike women in developed countries.

On treatment, options for breast cancer patients in Ghana include surgery, chemotherapy and somewhat limited radiotherapy and hormonal therapies saying there was growing recognition of the need for palliative care, especially for patients with advanced-stage cancer.

Notwithstanding, it said, there were still ongoing efforts to improve care for breast cancer patients.

“Both government and NGOs continue to engage communities on awareness of the disease through media campaigns and community outreach programmes,” it added.

It added that efforts were being made to train healthcare professionals, improve diagnostic tools, and build infrastructure geared towards breast cancer care.

By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu

Gender

Men urged to allow women to check breast cancer signs

Mr Emmanuel Turkson Azumah, a breast cancer survivor, has advised that just as women were encouraged to allow men to examine their breasts for signs of cancer, men should also be proactive in allowing women to check theirs.

He called on both men and women to help each other detect breast cancer early.

Speaking in an interview with The Spectator, he emphasised the importance of mutual breast examinations between partners to enable early detection, noting that the practice could benefit both men and women.

“As women are urged to allow men to suck their breast and examine them, women should do same for men as breast cancer can affect both sexes,” he said.

Azumah’s own experience with breast cancer began when he started feeling pains in his right breast, something he initially dismissed, believing the disease only affected women.

He said his wife, however, encouraged him to seek medical attention, and after a series of tests, he was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.

He revealed that he quickly began chemotherapy, completing it in December 2023, followed by 25 days of radiotherapy.

“Today, I am healthy, thanks to the early intervention initiated by my wife,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience, Azumah stressed how traumatic it was to learn that he, as a man, had breast cancer.

He encouraged women to allow their male partners to help examine them for signs of breast cancer and vice versa.

He believed that the mutual practice could lead to early detection and, consequently, timely treatment.

Azumah urged people to offer emotional and financial support to breast cancer patients, as the cost of treatment can be prohibitive.

Furthermore, he appealed to the government to equip hospitals in the Eastern Region with mammogram machines, which are essential for early detection but currently lacking in the region.

The Clinical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr Foster Amponsah, echoed Azumah’s concerns, noting that breast cancer cases were on the rise in the region.

He revealed that the hospital recorded more than five breast cancer-related deaths each month, with many patients seeking treatment at advanced stages of the disease.

This trend, he said, was particularly alarming among young women and emphasized that early detection was crucial.

He urged individuals to regularly check for symptoms and seek medical advice as soon as any abnormalities were detected.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Arko Akoto-Ampaw, also highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that breast cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the region.

He stressed the importance of continued public awareness and education on breast cancer, noting that it affected both men and women.

“In an effort to make early detection more accessible, the hospital has reduced the cost of ultrasound scans from GH¢100 to GH¢20, allowing more people, especially those with financial constraints, to afford screening,” he said.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua