By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Anani Kura (O/R), Oct 25, GNA – Mrs. Mabel Amankwa-Amoah, Kadjebi District Health Promotion Officer, has called for support for individuals affected by the breast cancer disease.
She said there was the need for collective effort to provide emotional, physical, and financial support to those diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as their families and caregivers.
Mrs. Amankwa-Amoah says these when addressing members of Anani Kura Mother-to-Mother Support Group at Anani Kura in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region.
The programme was held under the theme: “No one should face Breast Cancer alone”.
She said by providing this theme, the aim was to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and instead, foster a sense of connection and belongings among those affected by breast cancer.
The Health Promotion Officer said breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumours and that if left unchecked, the tumour could spread throughout the body and become fatal.
Mrs. Amankwa-Amoah, said globally, breast cancer was the common cancers with over 2.3 million new cases every year and that Ghana recorded 5,026 cases in 2022 and associated deaths.
On symptoms, she said, most people would not experience any symptoms when the cancer is still early.
She named breast lump with or without pain, change in breast size, shape or appearance of the breast, redness, changes in nipple, change in the skin surrounding and abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple.
The Health Promotion Officer said both men and women, but women are mostly at risk of breast cancer.
She said family history of women with close relatives, especially, sisters, mothers, or daughters who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of breast cancer.
On prevention, she said, eating healthy food, lifestyle modifications, changing of brassieres regular washing of brassieres, not using one brassiere for long, rest and sleep, low intake of alcohol, regular exercise and regular examination of the breast for early detection as preventative measures.
Mrs. Amankwa-Amoah encouraged all women to regularly check their breasts and schedule routine screenings as early detection serves life.
Similar programme were held with the Kadjebi ANC mothers’, Kadjebi Christ Apostolic Church congregants, among others.
October every year is dedicated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
GNA