Witchcraft beliefs, access impede breast cancer detection - Muslimah Mentorship Network

Limited access to screening services and lingering beliefs that breast cancer is

caused by witchcraft are delaying early detection and treatment among women in

Paakro, a rural community in the Eastern Region.

This concern came to light during a community health and mentorship outreach

organised by the Muslimah Mentorship Network on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The event brought together women from the Fante Town, Abaase, and Adjinase

Piem electoral areas for breast screening and education sessions.

The initiative formed part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month

and combined medical outreach for women with mentorship discussions for

teenage girls on education, reproductive health, and personal growth.

Founder of the Muslimah Mentorship Network, Bilkis Nuhu Kokroko, said the

The programme was designed to support women and girls in underserved communities

who often lacked access to health services and guidance.

“Our goal is to reach communities where women rarely go for medical checks and

where girls also need direction and mentorship,” she said.

“We see this as a mother-daughter approach — mothers benefit from medical care and health education, while the girls learn about responsibility and the importance of staying focused on their education.”



She added that the Network would continue organising community outreaches to

promote preventive health and empower young women to make informed choices.

“We want to build communities where women take charge of their health and girls take charge of their future,” she said.



Leading the screening exercise, Dr Abdul Wadud Mohammed, a medical doctor.

Those who volunteered for the outreach said misconceptions and poor access to medical Facilities were major obstacles to the early detection of breast cancer in rural areas.

“Many women delay seeking medical help because they believe breast cancer is

spiritual or caused by witchcraft,” he said.

“Others prefer herbal remedies until it’s too late.

These beliefs are dangerous because early detection is what saves lives.”

He said the medical team educated participants on how to conduct self-breast

examinations and encouraged them to seek professional help when they noticed

any unusual changes.

“We taught them to check for lumps, nipple discharge, or changes in the breast

skin,” he said.



“We also urged regular hospital visits for screening and advised families to support women to do so.”

Ms Samira Mastura Sulleman, a senior public health nurse from Manna Mission

The hospital that conducted most of the breast examinations said six women were

referred for further medical tests after suspicious signs were detected.

“Some of the women had lumps or nipple discharges that required further checks,”

She said.

“They were referred for mammograms and biopsies to rule out cancer.”

She expressed concern that many women still preferred herbal treatments or

spiritual explanations for breast conditions instead of going to the hospital.

“We heard several say they would rather try herbs first,” she said.

“That mindset is dangerous. When women delay hospital visits, the disease often advances before they get medical help.”

The Assembly Member for Fante Town Electoral Area, Abdul Lateef Saeed,

commended the Muslimah Mentorship Network for bringing health professionals

to the community, describing the outreach as the first major breast cancer

screening exercise in the area.

“Women from Fante Town, Abaase, and Adjinase Piem all gathered here for this

Exercise,” he said.



“It has helped dispel some of the long-held myths that breast cancer is spiritual. Now people know it’s a medical issue.”

He called for stronger cooperation between health authorities and the community

leaders to sustain education and screening in the area.

“We need more of these initiatives to reach people who rarely visit hospitals,” he said.

“It’s the only way to change attitudes and save lives.”

As part of the day’s activities, mentors from the Muslimah Mentorship Network

also held interactive sessions with teenage girls in the community on issues

affecting their well-being, including teenage pregnancy, menstrual hygiene, peer

influence, drug use, and early relationships.

They encouraged the girls to prioritise their education, make responsible decisions, and seek guidance from mentors and trusted adults when facing challenges.