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On Saturday the 28th March 2015, Breast Care International (BCI) in conjunction with Peace and Love Hospitals (PLHs) conducted a free breast cancer education program and clinical screening at Prince Boateng Vocational School, Nsawam, Eastern Region. The program, led by BCI’s President and PLH’s Chief Executive Officer Dr (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, was initiated and fully sponsored by the Honourable Member of Parliament for Nsawam, Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh.

The program began with a short musical interlude from all those in attendance, celebrating the life that God has given to them and being grateful for the opportunity to come together and appreciate the importance of health. Following this, the Honourable MP Frank Annoh Dompreh spoke about the importance of the breast screening exercise for his constituency, being the first of its kind. In particular he emphasised the fact that all those in attendance have family members who are women, so the need to acquire accurate information about breast health is key to fighting breast diseases such as cancer. He went on to praise BCI for the work that they do for the nation as a whole, making a serious commitment to signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Breast Care International, to ensure that clinical screenings and educational programs become a yearly occurrence within his constituency and even extend it to the other constituencies i the Eastern Region. Finally he also stated that he will encourage other MP’s to make the same commitment in their own constituencies to ensure the campaign is able to gain more ground nationally.

The educational component of the program led by Dr. Wiafe Addai gave the participants the opportunity to learn about the signs, symptoms, risk factors, methods of investigation and available treatment options for breast diseases, especially Breast Cancer. Beginning her lecture, Dr. Wiafe Addai commended the Honourable Member of Parliament for his commitment to thinking about the health of his people. She then explained the difference between malignant and benign tumours to the participants, emphasising that not all lumps indicate cancer and some are relatively easy to treat. Additionally Dr. Wiafe Addai emphasised the fact that the many myths and misconceptions currently surrounding the disease are contributing to the many needless deaths of women. Beliefs surrounding fate, witchcraft and spiritual orientation do nothing more than facilitate the consistent late presentation of women that currently ensures high mortality rates within Ghana.

The participants were then shown how to properly perform their own Breast Self-Examination (BSE) with the help of the 1000 donated Breast Sense Kits worth 20GHS each, which were donated to the women free of charge. These kits include educational information in the form of a DVD and booklet, a gel glove that is designed to make self-examination easier and more comfortable and finally a carrier pouch that ensures the longevity of the glove over its lifespan. As breast cancer’s ability to be treated and ultimately cured is completely time dependent, tools such as these, that aid in the early detection of the disease are pivotal to preventing a delay in diagnosis and treatment that can and do have catastrophic results for a woman and her family. At the conclusion of the educational segment, the participants were then provided ample time to ask Dr. Wiafe Addai questions and present their concerns. The doctor answered each one, ensuring that the program was able to take an interactive form.
Breast Cancer Survivors who were at the program shared their experiences with those gathered to the admiration of all; helping to demystify the disease and debunk the myths and misconceptions.

Closing the program, The leader of the delegation from the Queen mother of Nsawam, Awoyaa Amankwaah 1 - Nana Ofori Bosomprah spoke about how overwhelmed he was with the time and efforts the Honourable MP was taking to ensure the wellbeing of his people. The Chief praised his concern for his people and women in particular for organising such a program, which had been long overdue and highly anticipated for many years. Among the delegation were Nana Otieku Baah, Obaapanyin Ataa Ofeibea and Oheneba Kwaku Osaabu.
Representing the Moslem community, Imam Hasmim, also felt the Honourable MP’s emphasis on health, was exceptional and worth emulating.

At the conclusion of the program all those in attendance, including some of the men were clinically screened for signs and symptoms of breast abnormalities, especially Breast Cancer and if present, were referred for counselling and further investigations. 0ver 1600 people including students from some of the Senior High Schools were in attendance at the program.