By Stanley Senya
Accra, Oct. 11, GNA – The Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI), in collaboration with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) Hospital, has held a health walk as part of its breast cancer awareness campaign throughout the month of October.
The walk brought together management of staff of GAEC, representatives from other government agencies, non-governmental organisations, partners and political leaders who jointly embarked on the walk which was on the theme: “Uniting Our Voices and Taking Action”.
The walk began from the GAEC Hospital at Atomic with some brief aerobics, after which they marched through the principal streets of Dome-Kwabenya-Haatso accompanied by brass band music, and sharing flyers containing vital educative information on breast cancer.
They also carried along banners and placards with key information such as: “If you began menopause at an older age, you’re more likely to develop breast cancer” and “Changes in the Size, Shape or Appearance of your breast may be a symptom of breast cancer”.
Professor Dickson Adomako, the Deputy Director General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in an interview with the media said, the health walk was to educate and create awareness about breast cancer.
He said breast cancer had been noted to be rising in recent years ahead of other cancers, therefore it was crucial for people to have periodic screening for early detection and treatment.
He emphasised that breast cancer was not for only women but also for men and encouraged them to also partake in the free screening programme within the month.
Prof. Adomako urged everyone to prioritise breast cancer screening and practice the necessary preventative measures.
He said it was amazing to see such a great number of GAEC staff, other associate institutions and stakeholders coming out to join the initiative to create awareness of breast cancer to help reduce the devastation that often robbed families of their loved ones.
Prof. Francis Hasford, the Director of RAMSRI, noted that increases in the yearly record of breast cancer cases were becoming alarming for humanity, hence the creation of the awareness months to educate the public on the disease and the need for early diagnosis.
He said, “we must encourage people to go for periodic screening to aid in early detection for early diagnosis.”
He explained that although females were highly predisposed to breast cancer than their male counterparts, some negative lifestyles like smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol and unhealthy foods also contributed to the onset of disease.
Professor Hansford said free health screen was on-going at the GAEC hospital in Accra, for throughout the month of October, and encouraged all to take the opportunity to screen for early detection.
Dr Nii Boye Hammond, the Medical Superintendent of the GAEC Hospital, said the walk was to advocate for early screening of breast cancer to prevent it from developing into a severe and fatal condition, and urged both men and women to have periodic checks.
He said breast cancer was curable if detected early, and said the hospital had been screening people since the beginning of the month to safeguard the health of Ghanaians.
“We also have screenings at market centres, lorry stations, shops and even for individuals who chance upon the screening process,” he added.
Dr Hammond said alongside the breast cancer screening and awareness creation, was also some education and services on Prostate cancer to heighten the need for men to undergo yearly screening for early detection, to prevent the onset of the devastating ailment that also plague men, leading to high fatality in Ghana and globally.
GNA