By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
Naana Akyaa Asante, Founder – Embrace Society Ghana and a survivor of breast cancer, has urged women to have breast screening as early and regular as possible to encourage early detection of breast cancer and its treatment.
She highlighted the importance of early check-ups, noting that the early diagnosis of breast cancer can significantly increase survival rates in the country.
Ms. Asante blamed stigmatisation, financial constraints, fear of being abandoned by partners or loved once, less or no knowledge on the importance of screening and early detection, among others, as reasons for late or no screening of the breast by most women.
Citing herself as an example, she attributed her survival of breast cancer to frequent screening and early detection.
“My experience is quite the opposite of what I have observed. My condition was detected early; therefore, leading to an early and easier cure. But I cannot say same for many women I have encountered who have these conditions.”
The founder, speaking at a free health screening organised for market women in Accra by Embrace Society Ghana, called on the government, agencies and other relevant stakeholders to engage in more free breast screening programmes to encourage more women who cannot afford it to have the chance to get their breast screened.
The free breast screening programme had 269 women screened.
She, however, emphasised the need for regular visits of associations, agencies and other stakeholders to the market centres to conduct free breast screening and highlight awareness and sensitisation since these market women find it difficult to leave their work to visit health centres.
“I would appreciate if most stakeholders would not only use the media but also do in-person education and screening since most market women find it very inconvenient to move from their place of work to visit health centres for check-ups,” she appealed.
She further encouraged women to get screened as early and regularly as possible, advising that frequent screening and early diagnosis saves life.
Joyce Baah Larbi, a survivor of breast cancer, also shared her experience of being a patient and encouraged women to frequently do self-examination of the breast and also partake in breast screening to prevent late detection.
Embrace Social Ghana aims to reduce the impact of breast cancer on communities across the country by raising awareness and encouraging women to undergo regular screening.
