The Wassa East District Health Directorate has launched a comprehensive breast cancer awareness campaign, commencing with a staff sensitization and screening program to mark October as World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In an address to the staff, the District Director of Health, Mr. Emmanuel Affelkum, underscored the global significance of the month-long observance. He detailed the district’s multi-pronged approach to combat the disease, which includes public awareness creation and free screening services.
“Measures have been put in place to create awareness and screen patients and residents who visit all the 25 health facilities within the district,” Mr. Affelkum stated. He added that the initiative would be complemented by direct visitation campaigns to various institutions by health practitioners.
Leading the educational session, healthcare professionals Dorcas Fosu, a Midwife at the Daboase Health Center, and Vera Jackson, a Public Health Nurse, educated their colleagues on risk reduction and the critical risk factors associated with breast cancer.
The experts cited several risk factors, including genetic predisposition through hereditary, biological factors, and advanced age, noting that the disease is more common in individuals above 50 years.
They strongly advocated for proactive lifestyle changes to lower risk. The staff were admonished to adopt a healthy diet, rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits. Additionally, they were urged to maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular physical exercise, and avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol. The nurses also advised protecting the breast from excessive sun and radiation.
The initiative received strong backing from the district’s political leadership. Speaking on behalf of the District Chief Executive, Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim, the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Evans Mark Andoh, urged all staff of the Assembly to participate in the screening exercise.
Mr. Andoh further appealed to them to become ambassadors for the cause, assisting the health directorate in its sensitization drive to create the much-needed awareness throughout the Wassa East community. The campaign aims to encourage early detection, which is crucial for successful treatment and improved survival rates.
