Collective action needed to end premature breast cancer deaths - Dr Wiafe

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, founder of Breast Care International and a leading health advocate, has emphasised the urgent need for increased breast cancer awareness and early detection, highlighting that the disease claims more lives annually than COVID-19 did during the peak of the pandemic.

"This is way higher than the number of people who've died from COVID-19 within two years. And so in a year, if 2,300 women are dying, it means it's a very serious issue that we cannot sweep under the carpet," she stated.

The breast cancer advocate stressed that the often-painless nature of early-stage breast cancer leads many to delay seeking medical attention, increasing the risk of the disease spreading to vital organs.

"Once there's no pain, there's no danger. But the more you wait, the higher the chances of the disease spreading out of the breast and going to the vital organs like the liver, the brain, the lungs, and the bones. And when the disease has spread to these organs, it becomes difficult to cure". She warned, adding that only palliative care is available at stage 4.

She said this to a gathering at the Manhyia Palace following a mammoth walk of thousands of people in Kumasi to create breast cancer awareness. The walk, which featured over thousands of female and male Ghanaians, including students, professionals, among others, also featured some foreign nationals.

Meanwhile, her speech coincided with the unveiling of plans for a new comprehensive cancer centre in Ghana, the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence, a standalone cancer centre that is going to serve the entire nation and the West Africa region for all cancers.

"The new facility, envisioned as a centre of excellence for cancer treatment in West Africa, will offer comprehensive care for various cancers, including breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers". She said, emphasising that the board hopes that the project is owned by the residents and citizens so as to attract external help.

"Let us be breast cancer aware and not scared," she urged, calling for the removal of fear and stigma associated with the disease.

"While the exact cause of breast cancer remains unknown, early detection and prompt action are crucial for prevention. The medical practitioner called on the Ghana Education Service to come on board to make this vision possible for its people.

Dr Wiafe concluded by thanking the Ghana Education Service and the Manhyia Palace Foundation, and reiterated the commitment to ongoing awareness campaigns and the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare practices to improve breast cancer survival rates.