By Samira Larbie
Abokobi, Oct. 31, GNA– The Diamed Diagnostical Centre Limited, in partnership with Ghana Post and the Ga East Municipal Health Directorate, have organised a breast cancer awareness and screening exercise at Abokobi to educate residents on early detection, prevention and treatment of the disease.
The exercise, held under the theme: “Know Your Breasts, Act Early, Save Lives!”, targeted market women, traders and other residents, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
It also featured eye screening and health education on the prevention of eye infections, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney conditions.
Dr Marina Yashunina, Chief Executive Officer of Diamed Diagnostical Centre, said the initiative formed part of their commitment to giving back to society and improving access to preventive healthcare.
The CEO said early detection and continuous public education were essential in reducing breast cancer-related deaths.
She explained that although awareness activities were often concentrated in October, which is observed globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, education and screening should be sustained throughout the year.
Dr Yashunina said the exercise was intended to equip women with knowledge about breast cancer, including how to recognise early warning signs, understand potential risk factors and seek medical attention promptly.
She explained that family history and inherited genetic mutations could increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer and encouraged women with a family history of the disease to seek appropriate medical advice.
She also emphasised the importance of regular breast checks and professional medical screening, noting that early diagnosis could improve treatment outcomes and save lives.
Dr Yashunina said the Centre had relocated from its previous facility opposite the stadium at Legon to a larger facility at North Legon, Agbogba-Ashongman Road, behind Puma Energy Filling Station.
She invited residents to take advantage of the facility’s health services, including free screening and discounted programmes designed to improve access to healthcare.
She said the Centre provided services in several areas, including eye care, spinal conditions, arthritis, and other health challenges.
Mrs Vida Tangwam, Assemblywoman for the Abokobi Electoral Area, expressed appreciation to the Centre for extending the screening exercise to the community.
She said such initiatives were important in bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents and raising awareness about diseases that could become life-threatening when detected late.
She encouraged men to participate in breast screening activities, stressing that breast cancer was not exclusively a women’s disease and could also affect men.
Mrs Tangwam called for sustained community education to ensure that residents understood the importance of regular health checks and early medical intervention.
Naa Comfort Ashami Mohenu, Abokobi Market Queen and a beneficiary of the exercise, commended the Centre for providing traders with the opportunity to undergo screening and receive health education.
She said many traders were often occupied with their daily economic activities and neglected routine medical examinations until they became seriously ill.
She appealed to the Centre and other health institutions to organise more community-based screening programmes to enable traders to know their health status and take timely action.
It called on individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to partner with the Centre in organising similar outreach programmes to promote healthier communities.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Samira Larbie