It is reported that Ghana has recorded 4,645 breast cancer cases from January to September in this year as surveyed by GLOBOCAN a Cancer surveillance database managed by the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC).
This situation, according to the President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, is very alarming and urged all stakeholders to join the fight against the disease which she is surrounded with a lot of myth and misconceptions.
Speaking to the Media after thousands of people including organized groups, politicians, school children, members of the Ghana Cancer Board hit the principal streets of Tamale in the Northern Region to create awareness of Breast Cancer under the theme” There is hope for a cure: Togetherwe are stronger than cancer, Join Us”. Dr Mr Beatrice Wiafe Addai said statistics available indicate that 58% of breast cancer patients are under the age of 50.
Expressing alarm at the figures, she noted that it is gradually affecting the development of the country since industrious ones are being affected.
She further added that breast cancer is the leading cause of deaths among women across the world, hence the need to rise and reduce it to the barest minimum.
Peace Fm’s Sampson K. Nyamekye reported that the participants started the walk from Sakasaka (Afura Ajura Mosque) through Zobeli, Abedi Pele Roundabout and later converged at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium for the climax.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai was surprised at the high turnout in the region considering that this is the eighth in the series of the Annual “BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure” meant to create Breast Cancer Awareness in the country and the continent, and also designed to highlight the inherent dangers of Breast Cancer.
From 2011 to 2017, seven mammoth walks have taken place in the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Western and Eastern Regional Capitals, attracting participants from all over the country and other friends and survivors from abroad.
Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Otiko Afisa Djaba, who represented the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo, charged the participants to start caring about their breast health now adding that whiles she believed in prayer, addressing cancer with medical attention is the best option to adopt.
<<Print>>