By Priscilla Oye Ofori
Nsawam (E/R), Oct. 31, GNA – Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise preventive approaches to breast cancer.
She said individuals and the government spent fortunes on treatment and cure of the disease, which could be prevented when detected early.
Dr Lartey made the call during a visit by the Ministry to the Nsawam Female Prison to offer free breast screening, sensitisation, and donations to the inmates.
Items donated included an undisclosed amount of money to support the refurbishment of the inmates’ kitchen, sanitary pads, washing powder, bottled drinks, sachet and bottled water, and bags of rice.
October every year is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year’s celebration was on the theme: “Catch it Early; Treat it Right; Survive it.”
The Minister said early detection through frequent screening, proper treatment, and sustained awareness were the three vital pillars that saved lives.
“…When breast cancer is detected early, treated and properly managed, survival rates increase dramatically,” she stated.
Dr Lartey noted that breast cancer remained one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana and globally, yet many of the deaths could be prevented.
She said breast cancer was not only a medical condition but also a national health and social concern that affected livelihoods, families, and communities across the country.
The Minister encouraged the public to promote health-seeking behaviours and disregard fear, stigma, cultural beliefs, and economic barriers that prevented women from accessing medical attention.
She further advocated continuous awareness creation, expansion of access to affordable screening, and delivery of treatment and care with dignity and compassion.
Dr Lartey reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritising healthcare interventions, strengthening primary health systems, and expanding access to quality healthcare information in both urban and rural communities.
She assured the inmates whose screenings revealed health issues that the Ministry would support them through their treatment journey.
Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Mrs. Victoria Adzewodah, Officer-in-Charge of the Nsawam Female Prison, expressed appreciation to the Ministry for extending its sensitisation and free screening exercise to the facility.
“This thoughtful initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to equity, inclusivity, and its recognition that health awareness and preventive care must reach every woman-regardless of her circumstance or location,” she said.
Mrs. Adzewodah added that the sensitisation exercise provided an opportunity to learn more about breast cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, and preventive measures.
“We are taking a collective step towards promoting the overall well-being of women of this outfit,” she added.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey