By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Oct. 06, GNA – Financial difficulties, caregiving responsibilities and inadequate social support could delay women from seeking timely breast cancer care, a gender expert has cautioned.
Ms Maribel Akuorkor Okine, Gender Director, Department of Gender, Western Region, told the Ghana News Agency that the challenges were particularly significant for women in the informal sector, who might struggle with the cost of transportation, diagnosis and treatment while caring for their families.
She said breast cancer awareness efforts should, therefore, go beyond screening to address the social and economic circumstances that influenced women’s access to healthcare.
Ms Okine said some women could postpone seeking care because of concerns about treatment costs, loss of income, childcare responsibilities and becoming financially dependent on family members.
She called for stronger support from families, workplaces, communities and the health system to enable women to access screening and treatment without unnecessary delays.
Ms Okine also urged the public to reject misconceptions that could discourage early detection and appropriate treatment.
She said breast cancer was not exclusively a women’s disease, stressing that men could also develop the condition and should seek medical attention when they noticed unusual changes.
She cautioned against the misconception that a partner could conduct a breast cancer examination at home, saying self-examination should be done by individuals themselves, while clinical examinations should be conducted by trained health professionals with consent.
“No man should use cancer checks as an excuse for unwanted touch. Your body, your right,” she said.
Ms Okine also discouraged the attribution of breast cancer to spiritual causes and urged people to seek appropriate medical care when they noticed suspicious symptoms.
She called for continuous public education and increased access to screening services beyond October.
Ms Okine said workplaces could support women by allowing them time to attend screening, while chiefs, religious leaders and community groups could help reduce stigma and encourage early treatment.
At the family level, she said practical assistance with transportation, treatment expenses, childcare and household responsibilities could ease the burden on patients.
Ms Okine said early detection could improve treatment outcomes while reducing the financial and social burden associated with late presentation.
“Early detection saves lives and saves cost. Let us protect dignity, while we protect lives,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah
06 October 2026