By Dennis Peprah
Yamfo, (A/R), Nov. 2, GNA – Some young and aged women at Yamfo, a mining community in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region have been freely screened for breast cancer to enable them know their status.
The Newmont Ahafo North Mine at Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District of the region sponsored the breast screening exercise conducted by the Yamfo Health Centre to mark this year’s Breast Cancer Campaign Week.
About 200 women benefited from the screening exercise, and were also sensitized and counselled on the need to take good care of their breasts.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the side-lines of the exercise, held at Yamfo, Dr Solomon Owiredu Boateng, the Medical Superintendent at the Yamfo Health Centre, said though breast cancer was hereditary, women ought to take proper care in order not to be exposed to the disease.
He said if detected early, breast cancer could be treated or well managed, and advised women to endeavour to report any abnormalities they experienced in their breast to health facilities for examination.
Dr Boateng said it was scientifically unproven that breast cancer was linked to family curse and wizardry and urged care-givers and families to encourage and support breast cancer patients to seek hospital medication, instead of relying on prayers and herbal medicines.
He said the use of unproved and herbal medicines most often worsened the conditions of patients and led them through various health complications.
Dr Boateng noted that wrong perception, misconception and unfounded societal myths associated with breast cancer fuelled stigmatization and discrimination and called on stakeholders to help tackle those myths and misconceptions proactively.
Mr Samuel Osei, the External Relations Manager of the Newmont Ahafo North Mine and Newmont Ahafo South Project, later told the GNA the breast screening exercise was Newmont’s contribution to intensifying the breast cancer campaign in the area.
GNA