By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Adzadokpo (V/R), Oct. 29, GNA – Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ketu North, and Mr Sumaila Gariba Abubakari, the Municipal Director of Health Services, have called on residents to prioritise breast cancer screening and seek early medical attention to improve treatment outcomes.
They made the call during a breast cancer awareness programme organised by the E.P. Church International Mission Hospital at Adzadokpo in the Ketu North Municipality, under the theme: “Early Detection Saves Lives.”
Rev Amenaki, who represented Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, and the Ketu North Municipal Assembly, said breast cancer was treatable and could be cured, particularly when detected early.
He emphasised that public education, regular screening, and prompt medical attention were essential to reducing deaths associated with the disease.
He commended the management and staff of the hospital for organising the programme to educate women on breast health and for their continued commitment to quality healthcare delivery in the municipality.
Rev Amenaki encouraged women to take advantage of available screening services, practise regular breast self-examination and promptly report unusual changes to qualified health professionals.
He also urged traditional leaders, religious leaders, and Assembly Members to support awareness campaigns and help disseminate accurate information on early detection to households and communities across the municipality.
On behalf of the Volta Regional Minister and the Municipal Assembly, he assured the hospital of their continued collaboration and support towards promoting the health and well-being of residents.
Mr Abubakari said the responsibility of the Municipal Health Directorate extended beyond treating illnesses to educating communities, promoting preventive healthcare, encouraging early care-seeking and strengthening health systems to ensure timely access to appropriate treatment.
He urged residents not to ignore changes in their breasts, including lumps, changes in breast shape, skin dimpling, nipple abnormalities, and unusual discharge.
He explained that a breast lump did not necessarily indicate cancer but required assessment by a qualified health professional.
Mr Abubakari cautioned against delaying medical attention until a lump became painful, stressing that prompt assessment was critical to improving the chances of successful treatment.
He said awareness creation must be accompanied by timely diagnosis, appropriate clinical assessment and effective referral systems to prevent avoidable delays in treatment.
The Municipal Director said breast cancer awareness activities must reach all six sub-districts of Ketu North and not be concentrated only in major towns and health facilities.
He called for the use of health centres, Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, community outreach programmes, community health officers, traditional authorities, religious leaders and local communication channels to extend breast health education to underserved communities.
Mr Abubakari identified fear, stigma, misconceptions and financial difficulties as some of the barriers that prevented people from seeking timely medical attention.
He urged community leaders and residents to help create an environment where people could discuss breast health openly and seek medical assistance without embarrassment or discrimination.
He also reminded men that breast cancer awareness was not exclusively a women’s concern, urging them to support female relatives in seeking appropriate care and to recognise that, although uncommon, breast cancer could also affect men.
The Municipal Director encouraged health professionals to integrate breast health education into routine service delivery and urged facility and sub-district heads to identify practical ways of strengthening awareness, clinical assessment and referral services.
He called on the Municipal Assembly, development partners, traditional authorities and religious leaders to support efforts to make preventive and diagnostic services more accessible.
Mr Abubakari further urged residents to pay attention to other non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and other cancers, noting that prevention, early detection and timely management remained central to effective primary healthcare.
He urged residents to carry the message into their homes, workplaces, churches, mosques, markets and other community spaces to promote early detection and improve health outcomes across the municipality.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade