All over the world, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The global incidence and mortality of breast cancer keeps rising with Ghana not being an exception.
It is now common knowledge that "A woman somewhere around the globe is diagnosed with Breast Cancer every 19 seconds, and a woman dies from the disease every 69 seconds". An estimation of nearly 1.7million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed with a further estimated 522,000 deaths occurring around the world in 2012. Over here in Ghana, 2,260 women were diagnosed with the disease, that same year. These disturbing revelations are attributable to GLOBOCAN sources.
Breast cancer is a highly treatable, curable and survivable disease if diagnosed early but it is sad to state that about 60% of Ghanaian women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are usually found in the advanced stages of the disease. The intriguing aspect of it all is that lack of Breast Cancer Awareness and Education tops the list of reasons usually assigned for the delayed presentation among women in Ghana.
Against this unfortunate background, "Our organization (BCI) therefore thought it timely and demand driven to start the walk series, as we believe that in our own inimitable and special Ghanaian way, we could contribute to raising awareness on the disease, which affects us all in varying degrees- women, men and children", explains Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of Breast Care International (BCI). This event focuses on the serious issue of preventing untimely death from breast cancer and showcasing SURVIVORSHIP. We also aim to Keep Fit while having Fun in the process. Highlights at the end of the Walk, include a concert and glimpses into the lives of some Breast Cancer Survivors.
The walk, initiated in 2011, by BCI, Ghana's leading Breast Cancer Awareness Creation, Education, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research Organization, is the country's largest and most successful awareness creation event for breast cancer. It is open to the general public.
This year, the focus is on the youth and on Saturday, October 31st both the young and old, men and women but largely the youth would contribute to the walk in search of a Cure for Breast Cancer by joining the Fifth BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure. Scheduled for the twin-city of Sekondi-Takoradi, capital of the Western Region, this year's event is billed to attract more than 30,000 students. Several international participants are also expected to join the walk.
The previous walks held two in Kumasi in 2011 and 2012 drew over 15,000 and 20,000 participants respectively, while the subsequent ones staged in Accra (2013) and Sunyani (2014) pulled over 30,000 and 35,000 respectively. The President of Ghana, H. E. John D. Mahama and the former President H. E. John A. Kuffour with the former First lady Mrs. Theresa Kuffour have been constant Participants of the previous events.
The theme for this year's event is "Fighting for a Breast Cancer- Free Future".
Participants would all converge on the Jubilee Park in Takoradi, parade the market circle area and other principal streets of the twin-city with floats and funfair and finally to the Esipon Sports Stadium in Sekondi; Awareness about breast cancer would be created by providing information on the disease to the participants and the general public using placards, fliers; Chiefs and Queen mothers, Opinion leaders, Musicians, Film makers, Survivors, Government Officials, Members of Parliament, the Media (both print and electronic), politicians, students, market women and others. Corporate Organizations, in particular, are also encouraged to join in raising even more Awareness of this event by offering their Time, Products, Services and Donating towards this worthy cause.
As Ghanaians, we are all either part of the problem of holding on to the myths and misconceptions about breast cancer or part of the solution of spreading the message of Early Detection of Breast Cancer and Prompt Action Taken" as the Lifeline for victims and a Positive Index to High Survival Rates.
Let's Join in the Fight to tame breast cancer, We are Stronger Together and Together we Walk for the cure.
The event is sponsored by TIGO, Inter-Commercial Impex Limited (Producers of Forever Easy & Yofi Sanitary Pads), King Carlos Non-Alcoholic Wine, Special Ice Mineral Water and Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank.
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