Vice-Prez Warns: Ghana Risks More Death From Breast Cancer If�

The second in the series of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has successfully been held in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It was on the theme : �Africa, Get Involved, Together we race for the cure". Held annually, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure� Series raises significant funds and awareness of the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honours those who have lost the battle with the disease. There were survivors of the disease from Ghana, the United States of America, Zambia, South Africa, France, and Ivory Coast among others. Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, led the over 17,000 participants that converged at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the pioneering walk/race through some principal streets of Kumasi as they raised awareness by providing information on Breast Cancer. The walk/race which attracted some Ministers of State, Chiefs and Opinion leaders, women groups and some schools finally ended at the same venue. Speaking at the function, the Vice President observed most women who die from breast cancer often report their condition to the hospital when the situation has become very acute. He blamed this on the tendency of such victims to resort to herbal and spiritual treatment instead of seeking orthodox care and also blaming incidence of breast cancer and other diseases on the activities of witches and wizards. �The time has come for us to stop attributing the outbreak of diseases to witches and wizards and rather work hard to change our lifestyles that were creating so many health challenges for us on daily basis,� he said. Whiles assuring of government�s support for any initiative that aims at finding a cure for breast cancer, the Vice President warned that Ghana risks more death from breast cancer if such attitude to the disease persists. Mr John Mahama however expressed satisfaction at the initiatives of Breast Care International in the fight against the disease and added that since the health of the people was crucial in building a sound nation, issues bordering on fighting breast cancer must be taken seriously by all.