Forshes Africa Foundation, in collaboration with the Baptist International Church, Hohoe Abansi, has organised a breast cancer awareness campaign to educate women on the importance of early detection, screening and prevention of the disease.
The programme, held at the Baptist International Church in Hohoe, formed part of efforts by the Foundation to empower women with knowledge about breast cancer and encourage them to seek medical attention early when they notice any unusual changes in their breasts.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Manager of Forshes Africa Foundation, Pastor Jones Nana Boame, said early detection through regular screening was a wise and proactive step that could help save lives by identifying the disease before it progressed to an advanced stage.
He said although breast cancer could affect both men and women, it was more common among women, stressing the need for increased public education and regular screening to help reduce the impact of the disease.
Mr Jonas Ntikie Njibe, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe, stated that breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably. He educated participants on the symptoms, risk factors and importance of early detection and encouraged women to conduct regular self-breast examinations.
According to the Oncology Nurse Specialist, breast cancer cases were often detected at an advanced stage because some women delayed seeking medical attention after noticing symptoms. He therefore urged women to report unusual breast changes to health facilities promptly and take advantage of available screening services.
Mr Njibe said that while there was no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, certain lifestyle choices could help reduce the risk. He advised the public to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, maintain a healthy diet and weight, exercise regularly and encouraged nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies after birth.
The team lead also called on churches and other organisations to organise regular health awareness programmes as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives, saying such interventions could contribute significantly to reducing the number of women affected by breast cancer.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Forshes Africa Foundation for organising the campaign, saying the programme had provided them with valuable knowledge about breast cancer, self-examination and the importance of early screening.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
