Public Agenda (Accra)
Alhaji Bashiru Zakari
9 November 2009
Accra — A renowned Ghanaian surgeon and Breast pathologist, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe, has emphasized that the early detection of breast cancer is the only barrier to decreasing the incidence of the disease in the country.
Dr. Wiafe, who is also the President of Breast Care International (BCI), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Ghana, said this at a Breast Cancer Awareness creation and free breast cancer screening programme that was held on the Odwenanoma plateau at Atibie in the Kwahu South District of the Eastern Region.
October every year is designated Pink October Month. This month is meant to celebrate survivorship in recognition of the progress made in the fight against breast cancer.
Organised by the Breast Care International (BCI) on the Theme: "Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer," the programme was preceded with a brass-band music and float through the principal streets of the twin towns of Mpraeso and Atibie to the Odwenanoma plateau.
The procession attracted thousands of placard-carrying women and students of some second cycle institutions, and local keep fit groups in the Kwahu South District.
"Be Breast Cancer Aware and Not Scared;" "Take Care Of Your Breast For Family And Society Needs You;" "Examine Your Breasts Regularly;" "Breast Cancer Is A Public Health Concern" were some of the massages they conveyed per the placards.
Dr. Beatrice Wiafe, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi encouraged the use of computerised Breast Imaging (CBI), a breast cancer screening method, which she has pioneered in West Africa. This screening method, she said, has the potential to detect early breast cancer stages in all women. She also encouraged women to use the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to access treatment on breast cancer.
About 350 women including students were screened for various breast cancer pathologies.
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