Ghana needs to re-examine strategies to address breast cancer

Accra, Oct. 09, GNA – Professor Joe Nat Clegg-Lamptey, a Consultant Surgeon, has called for a multi-sectorial engagement to re-examine strategies to address breast cancer in the country.

He said research had shown that cases of breast cancer would keep increasing, therefore, there was the need to re-examine strategies to reduce the numbers.

Prof. Clegg-Lamptey, who is also a Professor of Surgery at, University of Ghana Medical School, was speaking at the maiden launch of free breast cancer screening exercise organized by the Medical School in Accra.

He said breast cancer was the primary cause of deaths among women globally and 70 percent of the most diagnosed cancer in women in Ghana with over 4,000 cases in advanced stages.
Prof. Clegg-Lamptey indicated that the number of women getting breast cancer in Ghana had increased over the years and expected to rise with changing lifestyles and increased reporting of cases.

He said though the current strategy of education had played a major role in the awareness creation, more initiatives such as making treatment accessible, provision of facilities, having personnel at posts, and availability of drugs, needed to be put in place.

The Consultant noted that Government had done a lot for breast cancer patients, but there was an increase in cases due to reproductive factors such as early menstruation, delayed births, not doing exclusive breastfeeding, poor eating habits among others.

“So we are surrounded by a lot of factors and it is expected that people will go for breast screening for early, detection which has always been a challenge,” he stated.

Prof. Clegg-Lamptey noted that some women reported late to the hospital due to fear, and myths surrounding breast cancer and its treatment and called for more awareness creation.

He urged the public, especially, women to live healthy lives, saying “breast cancer is just like any communicable disease, so exercising, eating fruits and vegetables to protect one against the disease is important”.

Prof. Clegg-Lamptey said early detection and effective treatment was the only cure for breast cancer and urged women to report on time.

Dr Darius Osei, the Chief Executive Officer of UGMC, noted that the breast cancer awareness month also included a free mammogram and ultrasound scan.

He said recent studies had shown that the disease had become common in women between 35 years and below in Ghana and other sub-Saharan countries.

The screening, therefore, would ensure early detection to provide the women with the specialized care they needed for better outcomes, Dr Osei stated.

He entreated family members to give the needed support to relatives diagnosed with breast cancer to encourage them to fight the disease.

Ms Rama Felli, a 71-year-old breast cancer survivor, advised breast cancer patients to do away with fear, which was key in the treatment process, go to the “right doctors” for care, and always go by medical advice.
GNA