By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Chiana (U/E), Oct. 27, GNA – The Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organisation (ADDRO), in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has screened and sensitised 241residents in the Chiana Sub-District of the Kassena Nankana West District for breast cancer.
The exercise, which took place in 14 communities, involved 239 women and two men.
Out of these screenings, four suspected cases were detected and referred for further examination and management.
The screening and sensitisation formed part of ADDRO’s Early Childhood Development programme, dubbed: “Moments That Matter (MTM)”, which is being implemented across six regions of Ghana with funding support from the Episcopal Relief and Development in the United States of America.
The initiative sought to promote healthy motherhood and ensure the optimal growth and survival of children from conception to age three.
Mr Gabriel Abem Mohammed, Field Officer at ADDRO, explained that the screening was one of several health interventions under the MTM programme aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes in the district.
“As part of our cross-cutting collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, we work together to screen and educate caregivers and community members on breast cancer. The aim is to help mothers detect problems early and seek the necessary medical support,” he stated.
He said the MTM programme in the Chiana Sub-District currently had 247 female primary caregivers participating and 23 Early Childhood Development (ECD) promoters who conduct home visits and caregiver support and learning group meetings monthly.
“These 23 ECD promoters assisted in organizing the female primary caregivers for the screening exercise,” he added.
Mr Emmanuel Anamoo Aduku, Sub-District Leader and In-Charge at the Chiana Health Centre, said the screening was timely as breast cancer remained the deadliest cancer disease among women globally and continues to claim lives across the country.
“Many women have lost their breasts and even their lives due to late detection. We are using this opportunity to create awareness so that when any woman notices a lump or unusual pain, she reports early for medical assessment and referral,” he noted.
Madam Grace Akologo, a midwife at the Chiana Health Centre, who took the participants through the causes, signs and symptoms, and ways of preventing breast cancer, emphasized that early detection and treatment were critical to survival.
“Breast cancer treatment is not only expensive but also emotionally draining. Early detection saves lives, prevents stigma, and helps women avoid the trauma of losing a breast. So, we thank ADDRO and the Episcopal Relief and Development for this kind gesture,” she said.
Participants, some of whom had never participated in screening exercises, expressed gratitude to ADDRO and GHS for bringing the initiative to their communities.
Madam Ernestina Kaba, one of the beneficiaries, said it was her first time participating in a breast cancer screening exercise and had learned great lessons about the disease.
“This is my first time participating in a screening exercise, and I learned how to examine my breasts and identify early signs of cancer. I will share this knowledge with other women in my community so they can also protect themselves because, myself for instance, I had no knowledge of such a disease,” she stated.
Madam Patience Anyinah, another beneficiary, said she had learned valuable lessons about myths surrounding breast cancer.
“Though I had heard of breast cancer, I used to think that massaging the breast frequently could cause cancer because that was what I was told by colleagues, but now I know it helps in detecting abnormalities early,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah