Breast Cancer Is Not A Death Sentence

The President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has called on women to be mindful of their breast health since they play an important role in society. She said breast diseases such as breast cancer is a reality and it will continue to claim the lives of women if measures are not taken to ensure early detection and prompt treatment, which are the only means of controlling the disease. She said this when she addressed over 800 members of the Secondi-Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Women Association during an annual conference at Asankargua, capital of the Wasa Amenfi District in the Western Region. Dr. (Mrs.) Wiafe Addai informed the women that breast cancer kills women more than any other disease in the world, with developing countries such as Ghana recording high mortalities. She explained the procedure of breast self-examination to the women and encouraged them to religiously practice it every month, whiles looking out for any changes that may occur in their breasts. The women were also advised to avail themselves for clinical breast examination at least every year and seek professional medical advice whenever the need arises. The renowned breast surgeon, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals in Kumasi and Accra emphasized that breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, mammography are crucial in the early detection of any signs and symptoms of breast cancer for prompt treatment. The treatment options available for breast cancer were also explained by Dr. (Mrs.) Wiafe Addai. She appealed to the women not to be influenced by misconceptions and cultural myths to stay away from medical treatment if they are diagnosed with any breast disease. She said breast cancer is not a death sentence since it can be cured when detected early and prompt action taken on it. A breast cancer survivor of several years was introduced to the women to share her experience and assure them that any woman diagnosed with breast cancer can still live a fruitful and rewarding life. Dr. (Mrs.) Wiafe Addai urged the women to be careful in applying herbal preparations to their breasts as medication, since traditional herbal medicines have not proven to be efficacious in treating breast diseases, particularly breast cancer. The Catholic women who were drawn from various parts of the Western Region, showed profound interest throughout the lecture time as Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai educated them on how serious breast cancer is to the society. Margaret Eshun, Agatha Brown, Mercy Essilfie, and Juliana Boateng, who were all from the Asankragua Diocese said the education on breast cancer has really given them the opportunity to learn new things about breast health. Women were given the opportunity to ask questions and comprehensive answers were given to each question. The education on breast cancer was soon followed by a clinical breast examination, which saw all the women clinically screened for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and other beast pathologies. Some of the women expressed their delight after undergoing the clinical breast examination and appealed for more of such education and screening during their subsequent annual conferences.