A health talk on Breast Cancer Awareness as well as breast screening exercise was on Saturday, October 22, 2022 organized by the Effutu Constituency Women’s Wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party in partnership with Member of Parliament for the Effutu constituency, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin, as part of activities to commemorate Breast Cancer awareness month in the Effutu Municipality.
The programme which had activities including a health walk, Sugar testing, Free Breast Screening, Free Hepatitis B Screening and Blood Pressure Screening saw the medical professionals in Winneba sensitize the participants on the: Anatomy of the breast and the Causes of Breast Cancer.
Speaking on the anatomy of the breast, Madam Fatima Obosu, a Senior Staff Nurse with the Effutu Municipal Health Directorate revealed that the breast size is a significant factor in determining a person’s risk of contracting breast cancer.
According to her, there was no known cause of breast cancer but certain things can predispose one into getting it. She mentioned among the risk factors as old age, genetic mutations, reproductive history, having dense breasts, personal history of breast cancer, or certain non-cancerous breast diseases, family history of breast or ovarian cancer and previous treatment using radiation therapy.
She named some of the symptoms or cardinal signs of breast cancer as new lump in the breast or underarm (ampit), thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast and pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
On lumps, Miss Obosu said, lumps in breasts do not necessarily connote cancer. She said, to avoid uncertainty and late diagnosis of cancer, persons who feel lumps in their breasts should immediately report to the nearest health facility for assistance. She indicated that breast can be concluded as being cancerous after it has been tested and proven as such by a medical officer.
Speaking on the theme “Early Detection Saves Lives” the Municipal Chief Executive for the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Hon. Alhaji Zubairu Kassim, appealed to the people of Effutu especially women to visit the hospital regularly to know their breast cancer status to prevent breast cancer related deaths in the Municipality.
He noted that breast cancer is more prevalent in persons aged 50 years and above largely because of inactivity. It can also be through hereditary or women who have had their first pregnancy after age thirty (30). He appealed to women to allow their husbands to assist them in massaging the breast for early detection and prevention.
Touching on the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, Hon. Zubairu Kassim appealed to persons living with the disease to follow the treatment prescribed by their health service providers and not resort to practices that can worsen the situation. He urged them to exercise regularly, get their breasts examined frequently and reduce their alcohol intake. Adding that, ‘early diagnosis and immediately reporting to the nearest health facility are all the ways to prevent breast cancer.’
After the talk, the participants were taken through ways of undergoing self-examination of the breasts. They were also taken through breast screening.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE -ISD
Last modified: September 18, 2023
