‘Breast cancer not a dead sentence’

Mrs Pearl Esua-Mensah, Deputy Managing Director of UT Bank has told women in Ghana not to consider the breast cancer disease as a death sentence.

"The disease can be cured if it is reported to doctors on time, don't feel shy when infected but report it early for prompt treatment," she advised

She was speaking at the annual breast cancer awareness campaign week organised by Pledge Pink of UT Bank in connection with the Centre for Gender, Research and Advocacy on Saturday in Cape Coast.

The programme was to create awareness of the breast cancer disease and to let women know that it could be prevented with early detection.

Statistics indicate that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the country with about 2,900 cases being diagnosed annually. At least one out of eight women has breast cancer putting women at a high risk of getting the disease.

Mrs Esua-Mensah said every woman should be aware of breast cancer since the likelihood of contracting the disease is high and charged them to report any signs of breast cancer to their doctors early, as that ensures effective treatment.

Though the root causes of the disease is not yet known but hereditary and the lifestyle of individuals have been identified by doctors as causes of the disease.

She therefore advised women to check their diet and to do a lot of exercises to prevent them from contracting the disease.

According to her, Pledge Pink of UT Bank had offered free breast cancer screening to 20,000 women all over the country since its inception some two years ago with 250 being sponsored for treatment while 145 are waiting for their turn.

She called on other corporate institutions to in to support Pledge Pink of UT Bank to help cover more women

Dr Akwasi Anyanful, of University of Cape Coast School of Medical Science advised women not to go for unprescribed x-rays of their breast as too much exposure to radiation could make them have breast cancer.

Mrs Pearl Esua-Mensah, Dr.Akwasi Anyanful and the Metropolitan Chief Executive together with other prominent personalities led an awareness walk through the principal streets of Cape Coast.