The Ningo-Prampram Municipal Health Promotion Officer, Ms Ernestina Ayitey, has emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, noting that misinformation often prevents early diagnosis and treatment.
She said many women delayed in seeking medical attention due to fear, stigma and reliance on unverified remedies, which worsened their condition.
She made the call at a breast cancer screening on Monday at Ningo-Prampram, in Accra, organised by Sistas Wing Union International (SWUI), a community-driven organisation.
Ms Ayitey urged the public to prioritise regular screening and trust medical professionals rather than resorting to harmful practices such as placing money on the chest or using herbal concoctions.
She stressed that while factors such as family history and hormonal changes could increase one’s risk, adopting healthy lifestyles like exercising regularly and maintaining a balanced diet could help reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.
The Founder of the Naomi Mikafui Breast Cancer Foundation, Mr Nuelz Ehun Addo, in his presentation, called on the public, particularly women, to prioritise regular breast examinations and seek early medical attention to increase their chances of surviving breast cancer.
“If it is detected early, you will survive it. This is why it is important to self-examine and seek immediate medical attention after noticing any abnormality in the breast,” he advised.
Sharing his personal experience, Mr Ehun Addo revealed that he lost his wife to breast cancer at the age of 29 after she battled the disease for several years.
“It was a painful experience losing my wife so young. This is why we go round every time educating the public about breast cancer and its related issues because of how serious the disease is, especially when it is not handled in time,” he stated.
According to him, the various stages of breast cancer require different forms of treatment. However, he warned that some advanced stages may not respond to any treatment, stressing the importance of early diagnosis.
“There are stages where no treatment can work for you. Detect and seek early treatment for a higher chance of survival,” he urged.
He further noted that not all cases of breast cancer begin with a lump in the breast, as many people assume.
“Some of the signs and symptoms include bloody or creamy discharge from the breast, an inverted nipple where the nipple turns inward for weeks or months as well as breast tenderness,” he explained.
Sharing her experience, a breast cancer patient, Mawuse Zottor, recounted discovering a lump in her armpit, which she initially mistook for a boil, before being diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I thought that was my end. It was a really difficult moment, but the oncologist assured me of my survival since it was detected early,” she said.
She also admonished women not to rely on spiritual or herbal remedies while neglecting proper medical treatment.
FROM STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG, NINGO-PRAMPRAM
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