Woman drives from Spain to Ghana to create awareness about breast cancer

Mrs. Claudia Maccioni and her husband, Jose Ramon Puig both journalists, travelled by land from Barcelona to Ghana with one simple message to women to seek early treatment when diagnosed with breast cancer – a disease which kills one woman every 60 seconds globally.

The two Spanish nationals began their journey via road about a week ago and drove from Barcelona through Niger, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso and finally arrived in Kumasi Friday.

Claudia Maccioni, 31, says she survived the much dreaded breast cancer four years ago and is in Ghana to create awareness about the disease and encourage women to undertake regular check of the breast.

She disclosed to Joy News, she had pledged to support breast cancer awareness and treatment in Ghana and had already mobilised USD 13,600.00 through fundraising and sponsorships, to support activities of the Breast Care International.

President of Breast Care International, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addae whose organization is at the forefront of breast cancer education told Joy News, many women are dying silently from the disease due to late reporting.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addae said cultural behavior is hindering the fight against the disease.

She mentioned that some women resort to prayer camps to deal with the disease because of the perception that breast cancer was a result of attacks from witches.

She said while prayer was important, it should be used to support medical treatment because, early detection of the disease leads to effective treatment.