By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Talensi (U/E), Oct. 31, GNA – Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd (CNML) has organised a breast cancer awareness and screening campaign for women in its host communities and staff of the company to promote early detection and improve access to breast healthcare.
The exercise, which targeted employees, subcontractors and residents of its two resettled communities, Digaare (Accra Site) and Biung, combined education on breast cancer, self-examination and clinical screening.
The campaign was characterised by health walk, talk on breast cancer and breast cancer screening for both employees and the residents of the two resettled communities.
The initiative formed part of activities marking October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and was aimed at raising awareness about the disease, encouraging early detection and helping women seek timely medical attention.
Mr Godwin Sebil Bade-Daamir, Superintendent for Local Content and Stakeholder Grievances at CNML, said the company extended the campaign to the communities as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He said the exercise was particularly important because limited awareness and access to health information in some indigenous communities could contribute to late detection and treatment of breast cancer.
He explained that women identified with suspicious symptoms during the screening would be referred to the appropriate health facilities, including the district and regional hospitals, for further assessment and diagnosis.
Apart from the company’s employees and subcontractors, Mr Daamil said more than 100 women from the two resettled communities benefited from the exercise.
He noted that the initiative was the company’s first breast cancer screening exercise for the two communities, adding that beyond the screening, the company had also provided sanitary towels to women of childbearing age to support their menstrual hygiene needs.
Ms Matilda Ayinpoka Anyenera, a Staff Midwife at the Accra Site Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS), said late detection and reporting at health facilities remained a major challenge in the management of breast cancer.
She said many women reported to health facilities only when the disease had advanced, sometimes resulting in the loss of a breast or death.
She said the education was intended to equip women with the knowledge to examine their breasts regularly, recognise unusual changes and seek medical attention promptly.
Ms Anyenera advised women to check their breasts monthly, preferably seven days after menstruation, while those who had attained menopause should choose a fixed date each month for self-examination.
She identified unusual lumps, changes in breast size or shape, persistent pain and redness as some warning signs that should prompt women to seek medical attention.
Mr Mahamadu Ayariga, Assembly Member for the Datuko Electoral Area, commended the mining company for extending the awareness campaign to women and schoolchildren in its operational communities.
He described the initiative as laudable and urged residents to take the education seriously and share the information with family members and others who were unable to attend.
He said the company’s interventions in the area, including the provision of sports equipment to schools, sanitary pads among others, demonstrated its commitment to supporting community development.
Ms Diana Sobil, a resident who participated in the exercise, said it was her first time undergoing breast screening and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn about breast health and the importance of early detection.
She said the education had increased her understanding of the need for regular breast checks and seeking medical attention when unusual changes were noticed.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Reporter’s email: [email protected]