Kumasi, May 25, GNA – Vice President John Dramani Mahama has advised Ghanaians to be mindful of their lifestyles and the type of food they eat to stay healthy.rn rnHe said as the society keeps changing with people becoming more affluent many of them are resorting to all kinds of eating habits and lifestyles which is fueling diseases like hypertension, strokes, kidney and liver problems.rn rnAddressing participants at this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for Cure of Cancer in Kumasi on Friday, Mr Mahama reminded them that the primary responsibility of health care is in the hands of each individual.rn rnThe Susan G. Komen Race for Cure is the largest grass-root participatory and awareness creation event for breast cancer in the world and this year’s event, which is the second in the series to be held in the country was organised by Breast Care International (BCI), a Kumasi-based NGO, leading the crusade of awareness creation, early detection and treatment of the disease.rn rnOver 20,000 people including survivors of the disease took part in the race walking along some principal streets in the metropolis and ending up at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.rn rnThe Vice President said government would continue to show commitment towards providing the necessary infrastructure to meet the health needs of the population. rn rnHe said it would also support all efforts to improve knowledge and aid the people to become better informed about the breast cancer disease and help reduce deaths.rn rnMr Mahama said ignorance was a major contributory factor to the low survival rate of the disease in developing countries and encouraged women to undertake regular self examination and report any abnormality in their breasts early to hospitals for treatment.rn rnDr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer of BCI, said the disease is on the rise and that many women are dying in Ghana due to ignorance.rn rnShe said breast cancer has now become a public health concern and there is therefore the need for concerted effort to create the needed awareness to reduce the high death rate.rn rnNana Akwasi Bosompra I, Paramount Chief of Goaso, who represented the Asantehene, called for greater involvement of traditional rulers in the public education campaign to fight the disease.rnGNArn