The host of Kapital Radio’s Health Programme dubbed “Your health” Miss Benedicta Odeibea Agyei has asked the media to help in the education on the effects of breast cancers in the country.
According to her more education on the disease would ensure that people go for early check of their breast to help in early detection of the disease. Stating this at a press conference to outline a number of programmes that she has designed to further promote breast cancer awareness in the country. She stated that the media should owe it a duty to educate the country on the need for people to go for regular breast examinations. Miss Odeibea maintained that the purpose of the press conference is to solicit the support of the media to enable her champion the course of creating awareness on the devastating consequences associated with breast cancer and other cancer related diseases. The enterprising presenter who recently returned from an international conference on cancer organized in the US alluded to the fact that her vision is to ensure that at least one quarter of Ghanaian women accept the idea of voluntary breast screening for cancer by the year 2011. She said such a vision can be achieved through activities like TV documentaries, Health walk promotions and the organization of free medical screening exercises for the public.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kofi Asare called for collaborative efforts between all stakeholders in the country’s health system including the media to help sensitize people against cancer in the a bid to fight the disease. He commended Odeibea for the initiative and hoped with this move; cancer related issues will be placed on a new pedestal. On his part the Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr. Baffour Awuah hinted that the rate of breast cancer infection is on the ascendancy in Ashanti Region. He attributed the compounded situation of the disease to what he called unwillingness on the part of breast cancer patients to report their conditions early enough for medical treatment.
Dr., Baffour Awuah who was answering questions at a press conference organized in Kumasi to create awareness on the repercussions associated with the disease said it is sad that up till now the cause of breast cancer has not been established. He however maintained that about five percent of the causes are genetically related.
