Goldkey Properties, developers of award-winning residential, commercial and mixed-use spaces in Accra, hosted “Blossoms of Hope”, in partnership with the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), to raise awareness about breast cancer, focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment options.
Held at Cantonments City Green Park, Cantonments with support from Blue Skies Ghana LTD., “Blossoms of Hope” featured a panel discussion, a free breast cancer screening conducted by Impact Medical and Diagnostic Centre, and a networking session.
Justine Koblavie, the Head of the Commercial Business Unit at Goldkey Properties LTD., remarked that her company was pleased to organise the event as raising awareness about breast cancer and promoting early detection contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3- Good Health and Well-being.
“By organising the “Blossoms of Hope” event, Goldkey Properties is also able to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility, employee well-being, and community health, ultimately benefiting business and the wider community”, she added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the UKGCC, Adjoba Kyiamah, remarked that she was “inspired by the amazing stories of strength and survival shared at the event”. She commended the panel for a great job communicating the prevention, early detection, and treatment options of breast cancer, and urged all to prioritise their health and get screened regularly.
Challenges, opportunities, and the future of breast cancer care
Speaking during the panel discussion on “Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Breast Cancer Care”, Clinical Oncologist, Dr. Edwina Ayaaba Ayavilah, encouraged all women to regularly check their breasts for abnormalities, emphasising that breast cancer is not a death sentence when diagnosed early.
According to her, regular self-exams and screenings are crucial for catching potential issues before they progress.
“Knowing what to look out for and having a plan in place can make all the difference. Early detection signs can include noticeable changes in the breast or surrounding areas,” she explained.
Dr. Ayavilah added that risk factors such as age and a woman’s menarche also contribute to the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
“The time at which you have your menarche—that’s your first menstrual cycle—affects your risk of breast cancer. You can’t control this, just as you can’t control when you enter menopause,” she said.
Dr. Ayavilah appealed to the government for strategic support and investment to expand radiotherapy facilities across the country.
“We currently have limited resources, and many patients cannot access necessary treatment due to financial and geographical barriers. Increasing access to radiotherapy is crucial if we are to improve survival outcomes, especially for underserved regions,” she emphasized.
She noted that cultural beliefs often deter people from seeking timely care, calling for continuous, year-round breast cancer advocacy and locally-focused research to better understand cancer trends within Ghana and across Africa.
“We need to build our own data and insights to know what works best for Ghanaian patients. Collaboration with transparent, impactful organisations is essential to achieving this,” she said.
Surviving breast cancer
Breast cancer survivor and advocate Mrs. Gina Kumah-Dzagah, who battled breast cancer for over two years and survived, shared her commitment to advocacy by telling her story and ensuring that other women receive the necessary help they need.
“After my treatment, I became dedicated to helping others navigate this journey. I sew artificial breast prostheses to ensure that no woman in Ghana has to worry about post-surgery self-image concerns or resort to inadequate alternatives,” she shared.
Mrs. Kumah-Dzagah highlighted the importance of breast cancer awareness, urging women to take early warning signs seriously.
“Before my diagnosis, I believed that October awareness was just noise. But lack of awareness almost cost me my life. Please, know the signs and symptoms, and if you detect anything unusual, go to the hospital immediately. Early detection and timely, effective treatment are key to survival,” she added.
She further stressed the importance of destigmatizing cancer and improving public education to reduce misinformation about breast cancer.
