By Dorothy Frances Ward, GNA
Kumasi, Oct. 23, GNA – Women have been urged to seek prompt medical attention whenever they discover unusual changes in their breast.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of Breast Care International (BCI), who made the call, stressed that, early medical assessment was essential for protecting their health.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi, Dr Wiafe Addai, pointed out that, discovering a lump or any other unusual change in the breast should not automatically be associated with fear of breast cancer.
This should however, encourage the individual to seek professional medical advice for proper examination and diagnosis.
She explained that, although some breast changes could be harmless, it was important for women not to ignore them or assume that they would disappear without medical attention.
She noted that fear, anxiety, embarrassment and misconceptions about breast cancer often prevented some women from seeking medical care early, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment.
She therefore, encouraged women to overcome such fears and make their health a priority by reporting unusual breast changes to qualified healthcare professionals as soon as possible.
According to her, early presentation at a health facility allowed medical professionals to assess the condition, determine the possible cause and recommend the appropriate treatment or further investigations where necessary.
Dr Wiafe Addai, emphasised that not every breast lump was cancerous, adding that, only a proper medical examination could establish the cause of an abnormality and guide the next steps.
She advised women to pay attention to changes in the size, shape or appearance of their breasts, as well as persistent pain, nipple discharge, nipple inversion and changes in the size.
She also urged women to seek medical assessment if they noticed swelling, unusual redness, dimpling of the breast skin or a lump in the breast or armpit.
She cautioned against relying solely on traditional remedies, self-medication or advice from unqualified persons when unusual symptoms appeared.
Dr. Wiafe Addai, said although awareness campaigns had helped improve public understanding of breast cancer, sustained education was still needed to dispel myths and encourage more women to seek medical care without delay.
She further called on families, community leaders and healthcare workers to support women experiencing breast-related concerns and create an environment in which they could openly discuss their health challenges without stigma.
She said the support of family members and the wider community could help reduce anxiety and encourage women to attend medical appointments when they noticed suspicious changes.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade