Koforidua (E/R), Dec 20, GNA— Dr Freda Agyeman Sarpong, a medical doctor at the Grace Homeopathic Clinic, has encouraged the public to submit themselves to health screening.
He said undertaking health screening was good to reduce the rate at which people go undiagnosed of diseases.
She said being aware of one’s health status was in line with the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG3), which seeks to ensure health and wellbeing for all at every stage of life.
She said instead of being scared of surgery, people should rather focus on what could be done to have great surgery and recovery.
“Screening can help you detect a health problem early before you start showing any symptoms,” she added.
Dr Sarpong, also a Reproductive Cancers Advocate, was speaking during a lecture on breast cancer, with members of the Eastern Regional branch of Immigration Ladies Association of the Ghana Immigration Service in Koforidua.
The lecture highlighted topics, including breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment as well as the performance of demonstration on self-breast examination.
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control, and females often stand at high risk than men.
The symptoms manifest when the colour changes on the breast, breast lumps, nipple inversion and the rest.
Also, Dr Sarpong, said girls starting their menstruation at the early age of 10, and women menstruating at the later part of their menopause were among the risk factors.
Radiation from the sun, excessive intake of contraceptive pills and too much alcohol consumption could pose a high risk.
Dr Sarpong advised women not to expose their breasts so much to the sun, and also entreated them to go for health screening every six months.
They should also the intake of contraceptive pills.
She added that wearing a brassiere throughout the day restricts blood flow and could lead to getting breast cancer.
Concerning the treatment of cancer, she said the affected could be on radiation therapy, dry/biological therapy, and also go under surgery.
Ms Prudence Aku Sosuh, Eastern Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, urged the Immigration Ladies to heed the advice of the medical espert.
GNA