Breast Cancer patients are mostly below 50 years

Accra, Oct. 09, GNA - More than 60 per cent of patients diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the country are below 50 years, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, a Specialist in Breast Pathology said on Sunday. She said 93Breast Cancer is a reality in Ghana and 60.2 per cent of patients diagnosed with the disease are below 50 years.'

Dr Wiafe-Addai announced this at an awareness creation and screening exercise on breast cancer and Hepatitis B and C for members of Mpraesoman Kuo (Union) at their monthly meeting in Accra. The women after screening were taught how to undertake their own breast self examination monthly.

Dr Wiafe-Addai who is also the Executive Director of Breast Care International, a Kumasi-based NGO said the essence of breast cancer awareness creation and treatment was to educate Ghanaian women about the reality of the disease in the country.

She noted that the level of awareness in the country was very low therefore; there was the need to educate the people 91to become breast cancer aware and not breast cancer scared'.

Dr Wiafe-Addai advised Ghanaians to undertake tests in Hepatitis B and C in order that those who were negative could be vaccinated against it while those who were positive were treated.

She said the disease could cause damage, scerosis and cancer of the liver, and when the people were tested all these could be prevented. Mr Samuel K. B. Omari, Chairman of the Union said the health education programme was undertaken as part of their social responsibilities and to improve the health needs of members.

He said about 500 women including non-members of the Union were screened for breast cancer and 300 for Hepatitis B and C all financed by the Union.