The Trust Hospital ‘Pink October’ breast cancer awareness initiative and beyond

The Trust Hospital “Pink October” Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative and Beyond

October, globally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marks an important time for The Trust Hospital. As the hospital's principal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Pink October, now in its 15th year, is dedicated to enhancing awareness and promoting the early detection of breast cancer.

Through a comprehensive series of screenings, outreach initiatives, and community engagement efforts, the hospital sought to make a substantial impact in the fight against breast cancer. Below is a summary of the key highlights and accomplishments from the Trust Pink October campaign.

Campaign Launch, Documentary and Initiatives

The month commenced with the launch of Pink October on October 1st, under the theme "Close the Care Gap; Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care." This event was accompanied by a notable introduction of discounts on mammograms and breast scans. The event featured Oheneyere Gifty Anti as the distinguished Guest of Honour, who addressed the attendees on the importance of accessible cancer care.

In a significant collaborative effort, the hospital partnered with Bisa Yen to authentically portray the emotional and physical realities faced by individuals with breast cancer through the medium of drama. This initiative aimed to emphasize the profound impact of early detection and treatment on patient outcomes.

Furthermore, a documentary was premiered to enhance awareness of the cancer journey, showcasing narratives from survivors and medical practitioners and highlighting the various treatment options available at the hospital.

The launch served as a foundational event for a month filled with diverse activities, which included a health walk in Osu on October 4th, community screenings held in various venues such as churches, mosques, and corporate institutions, as well as a designated day to honor and celebrate cancer survivors.



Pink Walk Of Hope

In an effort to enhance public awareness of the complimentary health screenings available throughout the month and to promote community engagement and education, the hospital organized a health walk in Osu on the 4th of October. The walk, which covered a distance of 3.8 kilometres, attracted a significant number of participants, including hospital staff, staff of AstraZeneca, SSNIT Ladies Club, members of the Ghana Prisons Band, police officers, and various passers-by.

This initiative emphasized the significance of routine health evaluations and promoted a proactive strategy for the prevention of breast cancer.



A section of participants of the Pink Walk of Hope

Screening Initiatives

In October, over 50 dedicated staff members at Trust Hospital volunteered their time and expertise to conduct screenings for approximately 9,400 individuals, reflecting an 18% increase over the initial target of screening 8,000 women in 2024. Notably, the participation rate among men was an encouraging 5%, underscoring the critical fact that breast cancer can affect individuals of all genders.

These screenings were essential in facilitating early detection, thereby contributing to a reduction in breast cancer mortality through the identification of individuals who may require further examination and treatment. The significance of these screenings is substantial, as a standard walk-in screening at Trust Hospital (TTH) typically incurs a cost of 250 cedis. By providing over 9,400 screenings free of charge, Trust Hospital has effectively reinvested more than 2.3 million cedis back into the community.

In addition to the complimentary screenings, TTH has instituted a 40% reduction in mammogram prices, now priced at 200 cedis, establishing it as the most affordable option nationwide. Likewise, breast ultrasound scans are offered at a reduced rate of 160 cedis, ensuring that all women have access to both diagnostic scans and mammograms. Trust Hospital has provided more than 750 mammograms and over 300 breast scans for individuals identified as needing further evaluation.

Through the generous contributions of organizations, churches, and philanthropic individuals, certain women were able to access these essential services—specifically mammograms and ultrasound scans—at no cost. These diagnostic procedures have been instrumental in promoting early detection and empowering participants to make informed decisions regarding the management of their health.

Extensive Community Outreach

The outreach team from Trust conducted visits to over 100 locations, encompassing churches, schools, mosques, markets, corporate institutions, and neighbourhoods throughout Osu, Kasoa, Teshie, Adenta, Nima, and several additional areas.

In collaboration with Jude Gadzekpo, the Chief Executive Officer of Jay’s Fitness Club and a committed advocate for breast cancer awareness, the Trust team engaged with the farming community of Aglokpovia in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.