The Krofrom and Bomso Business Centers of the ASA Savings and Loans Limited have offered enormous support to deepen breast care awareness within its operational area, as health experts continue to push for an informed society where early detection is prioritized.
According to records from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), over 4,400 breast cancer cases were recorded in 2020, out of which an estimated 2,055 are said to have died from the disease.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and is the most common cause of cancer among women in most countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising steadily due to increased life expectancy and changing reproductive patterns among others.
However, it is believed that the majority of breast cancer-related deaths could be avoided if cases are detected early. When found early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured.
It is towards this effort that October has been set aside globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to increase attention and support for awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment as well as palliative care for women facing this disease.
To this end, the Krofrom Business Center of the ASA Savings and Loans organized a free breast screening exercise that benefitted some 200 patrons made up of customers and residents of Krofrom, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti region.
It was later replicated at Bomso Business Center which also benefitted some 106 patrons. The exercise was led by Anglican Health Services headed by Dr. Antwi Bosiako.
The Krofrom Branch Manageress, Rosina Aku Owusu, said given that ASA prioritizes the health of its customers, it was deemed necessary to focus the CSR month to help strengthen public education on breast care awareness.
“ASA wants to use this opportunity to provide the platform to educate and screen its clients for early detection and treatment of breast cancer-related development to improve their health,” she said.
Also, the Assistant Manageress of the Bomso Business Center, Rebecca Baidoo, indicated that ASA has been undertaking several initiatives in the area of health including free medical screening exercises across all its branches and donation of medical equipment to health facilities among others.
She especially encouraged market women to take advantage of such opportunities provided by ASA to check their health status, and also take health issues seriously.
The head of the medical team, Dr. Bosiako, and other public health officials who participated in both exercises took turns explaining the importance of breast screening as well as the need to ensure early detection and treatment of breast cancer cases.
