By Victoria Agyemang, GNA
Ayanfuri (C/R), Oct. 16, GNA-The Perseus Mining Ghana Limited (PMGL) has organised a free breast cancer screening exercise for more than 450 women and students at Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region as part of activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The exercise, which benefited women from Ayanfuri and students of Ayanfuri Senior High School, was to aid early detection, improve awareness and encourage timely medical intervention to reduce the burden of breast cancer.
Speaking during the exercise, Mr Raymond Agyarko, the District Public Health Nurse for Upper Denkyira West, cautioned women against relying on herbal medicines to treat suspected breast cancer, stressing that delays in seeking appropriate medical care could have serious health consequences.
He said early detection and timely medical intervention remained critical to effective breast cancer management and urged women to seek professional medical assessment whenever they noticed unusual changes in their breasts.
Mr Agyarko expressed concern about misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, particularly the belief that herbal medicines could serve as substitutes for appropriate medical treatment.
He warned that such practices could delay diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the chances of successful management of the disease.
Citing reports on breast cancer screening in the district, he indicated that two out of every 10 women screened had reportedly been affected by the disease.
He, therefore, urged women to take breast health seriously by paying attention to warning signs, including lumps, swelling, changes in breast shape and unusual nipple discharge.
Mr Agyarko further encouraged women to overcome fear, stigma and misconceptions associated with breast cancer and seek prompt medical attention when they noticed suspicious symptoms.
He stressed that breast cancer awareness campaigns should encourage behavioural change and regular health checks rather than merely providing information about the disease.
Mr Alex Kofi Oduro, the General Manager of Perseus Mining Ghana Limited, reiterated the company’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of residents within its operational communities.
He called for intensified public education to equip women with the knowledge needed to identify possible warning signs of breast cancer and seek medical advice without delay.
Mr Oduro encouraged women to become familiar with their bodies and promptly report unusual or persistent changes, including lumps, swelling, changes in the breast or nipple, and unusual discharge.
He explained that although not every breast change indicated cancer, persistent or unusual abnormalities should be examined by qualified health professionals.
The General Manager stressed that breast cancer awareness must go beyond education and translate into practical action to improve early detection and access to appropriate healthcare.
He urged communities to replace fear with knowledge, stigma with compassion and delays with timely medical attention.
The screening exercise formed part of PMGL’s efforts to support preventive healthcare and promote breast cancer awareness among women and young people in its host communities.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah