At least 2,300 women die from curable breast cancer every year in Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has revealed.
She explained that the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign seeks to encourage Ghanaians not to leave the fight against the disease to women alone, since men are also vulnerable to breast cancer.
Dr. Wiafe Addai made the appeal while addressing participants of this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Walk held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Thousands of women in the Ashanti Region participated in a Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Street Walk in Kumasi.
The walk formed part of Breast Care International’s annual campaign, led by Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, aimed at raising awareness about cancers affecting women.
The walk began at the Adum Post Office, passed through Adum, Kejetia, and Dr. Mensah, and ended at the Manhyia Palace.
Addressing participants, Ghana’s leading breast and cervical cancer advocate, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, called for collective national support in the fight against breast cancer a disease she described as curable yet still claiming the lives of over 2,300 Ghanaian women each year.
“Every man has a woman in his life your mother, wife, daughter, or sister. So, let us not see breast cancer as a women-only issue. We must confront it as a family and community problem. When we bear that in mind, we will come to the aid of women diagnosed with breast cancer and help more of them survive,” she pleaded.
She continued, “Today, we are going to see thousands of women who have survived breast cancer, and I want us to know that if we support our women during treatment, many more will become survivors. In Ghana, more than 2,300 women die from breast cancer every year. This is unacceptable because it is far higher than the number of people killed by COVID-19 in Ghana. This is a serious issue that cannot be swept under the carpet,” she emphasized.
Dr. Wiafe Addai urged Ghanaians to dismiss myths and misconceptions linking breast cancer to witchcraft, stressing that such beliefs delay early detection and treatment.
“We can conquer and defeat breast cancer, but we need all hands on deck. We must continuously educate our women to understand that breast cancer is a hospital disease and not caused by witchcraft. The way our young ladies are listening to our message gives me hope that all the education they have received will be put into good practice. Let’s carry this message to our youth so they grow with that understanding,” she said.
Several breast cancer survivors also shared their personal stories, encouraging others to seek early medical help and remain hopeful.
One survivor said, “Breast cancer is curable. When you notice changes in your breast, you must quickly go to the hospital. In my case, when I noticed changes in my breast, I relied on herbal medicine and prayer camps for healing. Unfortunately, my condition worsened, and I was compelled to rush to the Peace and Love Hospital for treatment.”
She added, “My breast had swollen severely, but when Dr. Wiafe put me on medication, I fully recovered from the disease. Although one of my breasts was removed 13 years ago, I am now very healthy and more beautiful than before. My husband, who abandoned me when I was battling the disease, has now returned, begging for a reunion,” she said with a smile.
A celebrated Ghanaian musician, who recently recovered from drug addiction, also performed his hit song to entertain participants.
He used the platform to urge teenagers to abstain from premarital sex and focus on their education.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
