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Mammogram doesn’t cause breast cancer …Dr Victoria Partey-Newman sets record straight
Dr Victoria Partey-Newman
Mammograms are breast x-rays that help health professionals to detect the minutest lump or abnormality in the breast during screening. But it is surprising to note that some women think this method is rather the cause of breast cancer.
This is one of the myths that Dr Victoria Partey-Newman of the Ladybits Health and Wellness Clinic in Accra debunked when she was contacted by this reporter in line with the awareness campaign on breast cancer which was recently launched by New Times Corporation at the Kaneshie Market Complex in Accra.
According to her, some women who came to the facility refused to be screened with the mammogram for the fear that it could cause breast cancer.
Explaining the importance of the mammogram, she indicated that “when health professionals do the physical screening with their hands and are not clear, they usually refer the patient to do a mammogram scan so that they would have a better and clearer view of what is happening in the breast in order to detect a lump or abnormality.”
“So the notion that doing mammogram screening would cause breast cancer is untrue,” she stressed.
Highlighting other myths associated with the disease, she said breast cancer should not be associated with spirituality as there were many risk factors which exposed women to the disease.
She intimated that it was inappropriate to tag breast cancer a curse or punishment from the gods when women are diagnosed with the disease.
Dr Partey-Newman said excessive use of alcohol; smoking, obesity and lack of exercise among others could increase the risk of contracting the disease, and, therefore, advised women to adopt healthy lifestyles and be proactive in going for regular check-ups and breast screening.
While urging women to report any anomaly in their breasts or any part of their body promptly at the hospital, she noted that there was no scientific proof that anti-perspirant deodorants could also cause breast cancer.
Background
Dr. Victoria Partey-Newman hails from Odumase- Krobo in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of Eastern Region. She is the fourth of seven children born to Mr. Archibald Partey and Mrs. Beatrice Partey.
She had basic education at St. Martin de Porres School and continued at Wesley Girls where she studied General Science.
“Right from my childhood, I have had keen interest in showing compassion to the sick especially those around me. My siblings used to tease that I like it when people fall sick but I tell them I just like to help the sick that’s when I got the title” Dr. WHO.” My friends were not surprised when I chose to pursue medicine in the university,” she recalled.
Dr. Partey-Newman said she developed keen interest in women’s health having had the opportunity to head the women’s clinic in the hospital she had worked for four years.
“During this period of ‘servitude’, was when I knew there was no turning back and I pledged my life and course to cater for the health needs of the average Ghanaian woman in the area of breast cancer and cervical cancer with regard to breast screenings and cervical cancer screenings which is a form of secondary prevention in the field of public health,” she explained.
Following this, she decided to pursue a Master’s Programme in Public Health at Ensign Global College to have complete knowledge in her endeavours as a Woman’s Health Advocate.
For the past eight years, she had been involved in organising breast and cervical cancer symposia and screenings in various organisations. Through this, she was honoured as one of the recipients of the “Community Service Award” Ensign Global College in 2021.
According to her, the call to empower and attend to the health needs of women led to the establishment of Ladybits Health and Wellness Foundation in 2019, one of the wings or subsidiaries of the Ladybits Health and Wellness Clinic, a preventive service clinic for women.
“The foundation focuses on women in the rural areas and outskirts of Accra who are disadvantaged and cannot afford to have their breasts examined or have Pap smears done for them on regular basis.
“We empower them by teaching them breast self-examination, symptoms and signs they should look out for when it comes to breast and cervical cancer so that they can report early which eventually increases their chances of survival,” she noted.
Dr. Partey-Newman is a twin. She is married to Bishara Nartey Newman and blessed with a son. She loves swimming, singing and enjoying good conversations. Her twin sister is Ms. Vida Partey.
She said “my mother is my strongest inspiration as she always encouraged us to aspire to greater heights.”
By Portia Hutton-Mills
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Communication Ministry To Train 3000 Girls This Year Under The Girls-In-ICT Initiative
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is set to train 3,000 girls under this year’s Girls-In-ICT Initiative.
The 2025 edition of the programme will expand its footprint to three key regions: Volta, Upper East and Upper West, with each region hosting 1,000 girls for in-person training sessions.
This marks a significant increase in reach and impact compared to previous years, where only 500 girls received face-to-face training while an additional 500 participated online.
By offering full in-person training to all participants this year, the Ministry aims to provide a more immersive and hands-on experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.
The Minister, Samuel Nartey George (MP) revealed this when a team from TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) paid a courtesy call on him today in his office and expressed interest in supporting the Girls-In-ICT Initiative.
During the meeting, the TCS team led by the President-MEA, Sumanta Roy commended the Ministry for its efforts in promoting digital inclusion and bridging the gender gap in technology through the Girls-In-ICT programme.
They emphasized the alignment of the initiative with TCS’s global corporate social responsibility agenda, which includes advancing education, promoting digital skills, and empowering underrepresented groups, especially young women in the tech industry.
The Honourable Minister welcomed the interest shown by TCS and noted that strategic partnerships like this are essential to the sustainability and expansion of the initiative.
The Girls-In-ICT Initiative, one of the Ministry’s flagship programs, seeks to equip young girls with practical digital skills and introduce them to the vast opportunities within the ICT sector.
The initiative also aims to address gender disparity in STEM fields and encourage greater female participation in Ghana’s digital economy.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP) speaking about the 2025 rollout, stated: “This year’s program represents our commitment to building inclusive digital skills and creating future leaders in tech.
By expanding in-person sessions to all participants, we’re ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, engage, and grow with hands-on support from professionals and mentors”.
Participants in this year’s training will receive instruction in coding, basic computer operations, cybersecurity and creative digital tools.
The programme also features mentorship sessions with women in tech, ICT competitions and career development workshops designed to build confidence and spark innovation among the girls.
According to the Minister, empowering girls today with ICT skills will transform communities and drive national development. The initiative is a key part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, which emphasizes equitable access to digital tools and education for all citizens.
About the Girls In ICT Initiative:
The Girls-in-ICT (GIICT) Initiative was introduced in Ghana in 2012. It is an initiative by the International Telecommunications Union to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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