Breast Care Trains Presbyterian Ministers� Wives Association As Community Breast Health Promoters

Breast Care International (BCI) in collaboration with Peace and Love Hospital is organizing a workshop to train volunteers as community breast health promoters on Friday May 16, 2014 at Peace and Love Hospital, Kumasi. The 65 participants attending the workshop are selected from the Presbyterian Ministers� Wives Association (PMWA) within the Upper, Northern, West Bono, Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Sekyere, Asante Akyem, Kwahu, and Sefwi Presbyteries. This is the first of its kind in the country. Extending BCI�s vision of promoting early detection of breast cancer in local communities, the overall aim of this workshop is to train women to acquire basic breast health knowledge in order to act as promoters who will engage their congregation and local communities by encouraging women to examine their own breasts regularly, seek clinical breast examination by trained health care professionals, help to demystify breast cancer, and aid in early detection and prompt action. The curriculum for the workshop focuses on the basic anatomy and physiology of the breast; pathology of breast cancer; principles and practice of breast cancer awareness creation and how to refer women with breast problems to appropriate health care institutions. It is expected that upon completing the workshop, the participants would be able to discuss breast health issues, and also to organize outreach programs in collaboration with BCI and other appropriate institutions in order to improve community awareness of breast health screening resources. Commenting on the value of the workshop, Nicola Manning, CEO of Inter-Commercial Impex Limited, the company behind Forever Easy and Yofi sanitary products, says: "I am both thrilled and proud that our company is sponsoring another wonderful initiative with BCI. Our corporate commitment aims to empower the women of Ghana through education, awareness, and loving support, and this latest BCI project truly demonstrates all of these facets�. She expressed her excitement in supporting BCI in training the PMWA for this noble course and pledged to be a part of these programs subsequently. She commended the PMWA for taking the lead and invited others to follow this shining example. Speaking about the workshop, Mrs. Rosekel Omenyo, President of the Presbyterian Minister�s Wives Association reiterated that the training would provide members of her association with appropriate knowledge and skills that will equip them with the necessary knowledge, which would enhance early detection of breast problems for subsequent treatment if needed. According to Mrs. Omenyo, this breast health promoters program, which has been inaugurated in Kumasi, will also be offered to PMWA members in other presbyteries of the country in the coming months. On her part, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of BCI commended the PMWA for being the first organization to pioneer this unique program in the country. She hopes that other churches and organized women groups will follow the example of PMWA for the benefit of the communities they serve, since knowledge is power. Dr. Wiafe Addai also applauded the PMWA for its enthusiasm and pioneering spirit in this noble and historic program. She also paid a glowing tribute to the Media, for joining in the fight against breast cancer in Ghana. BCI acknowledges the assistance from Peace and Love Hospitals, Inter-commercial Impex Limited, Professor Seth Wiafe, who�s a resource person, and the organizers for supporting this Workshop