Breast cancer campaign targets youth in Western Region

Breast Care International (BCI), a non-governmental organisation concerned with raising awareness on the dangers of breast cancer, has launched its fifth public awareness campaign in Sekondi.

It was aimed at preventing untimely death of victims and showcasing breast cancer survivors.

The campaign christened: “Ghana Walk for the Cure, 2015,” is targeting the youth, especially those at the upper primary and second cycle institutions, to undertake regular breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests so as to detect the disease at the early stages for treatment.

Speaking at a media launch of the campaign at the Esipon Sports Stadium in the Western Region, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, the Founder and President of BCI, indicated that breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of deaths among women.

She called for concerted efforts by stakeholders including, chiefs, teachers, the media, health workers, members of parliament (MP), opinion leaders, the clergy and all well-meaning Ghanaians, to join the crusade to aggressively campaign against the disease in order to save lives.

DrWiafe Addai, who is a surgeon, pointed out that breast cancer is a highly treatable, curable and survivable disease if diagnosed early.

However, she said about 60 per cent of Ghanaian women who were diagnosed with the disease were usually found in the advanced stages, therefore, it became difficult to save them from dying.

This, she attributed to various myths and misconceptions in the society which is fueled by ignorance, psychological orientation, social and cultural beliefs of the people which is militating against the cure for the disease.

Dr Wiafe Addai noted that the cause of the disease is unknown, but people who consume excessive alcohol, fatty foods, smoking cigarette and people with sedentary lifestyles and family history of the disease are more likely to be infected.

She, therefore, charged Ghanaians to undertake regular check-ups, exercise frequently and reduce alcohol and fat intake.

This year’s breast cancer campaign would be hosted in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis on Friday, October 30, on the theme: “Fighting for a breast cancer-free future.”

Activities to be held include a 17-kilometre health walk, float, breast cancer screening, music concert, distribution of fliers and health talk.

It is anticipated that more than 30,000 participants including, students, teachers, health workers, chiefs and queen mothers, the media, civil society organisations, MP and people from all walks of life would take part in the event.

The BCI started the nationwide campaign against breast cancer in 2011, and had since been to Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra regions, educating Ghanaians on the dangers of the disease.

The World Health Organisation records revealed that nearly 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2012, and a further 522,000 deaths occurred around the world while in Ghana, 2,260 women were diagnosed with the disease in that same year.

In addition, it is estimated that in every 19 seconds, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer somewhere in the world while a woman dies from the disease in every 69 seconds.

Mrs Guddy Abena Ampomah Kermah, Western Regional School Health Education Programme Coordinator, gave the assurance that more than 20,000 students from both public and private second cycle and basic schools in the region would be mobilised to take part in the event.

She added that a quiz competition would be organised for students in the second cycle educational institutions to educate them on the dangers of the disease and lauded BCI for initiating such a laudable campaign.