The chairperson of the Ghana Non- Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA), Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, has said that more than 4,650 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in Ghana and that out of the number, more than 2,060 die annually.
Speaking at the launch of the annual “BCI Ghana Walk For The Cure” ahead of the Breast Cancer Month in October, Dr Wiafe-Addai explained that of the non communicable diseases, breast cancer is the number one killer in Ghana.
Dr Wiafe-Addai, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospital and Breast Care International (BCI), a non-governmental organisation, said: “Breast cancer statistics will remain a scar on our conscience, if we do not collectively fight the condition as a national disaster and a developmental issue. It is not only a public health issue.”
According to the report by the Ghanaian Times on Friday, the walk, which has the theme “Breast Cancer Won’t Rest, Why Should We,” is expected to bring about 10,000 health-conscious participants to Tepa, in the AhafoAno North Municipality of Ashanti, to increase awareness about breast cancer and to also celebrate survivorship.
It added that with some participants coming from outside Ghana, the international event, which is the 10th edition, would witness the participation of politicians, the clergy, school children/students, teachers, farmers, traditional and opinion leaders, among others.
Dr Wiafe-Addai appealed to the government to ensure mammographs were provided in all the regional hospitals in the country to ease the pains of women, most of whom were from remote areas, travelling to the cities for early detection.
She said it was strange that public hospitals lacked the mammographs which are common in many private hospitals, adding that “we should be serious to make such provisions to save women in the country as it is a national concern.”
“It is about time breast cancer is given the needed attention after COVID-19, as the number one killer of women,” she intoned, and urged the media to join the crusade to create the awareness.
“If we do not create the public awareness of this reality, we will be deceiving ourselves about this disturbing trend, as our women perish, though there is cure,” the report quoted Dr Wiafe-Addai as saying.
GIK/APA