The University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch of the Senior Staff Association- Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) has organized a symposium to create awareness on breast cancer.

The programme was organized by the Women's Commission of SSA-UoG, UCC in partnership with the Danquah Institute. 

It was on the theme: "Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Screening Practices in Ghana." 

The month of October, annually, is celebrated as breast cancer awareness month, to increase awareness for early detection, treatment and palliative care of the disease globally.

A Breast Cancer Advocate and Radiologist, Madam Grace Animwaa, said breasts play a crucial role in the human life and must be handled with care, saying every woman is in the "cancer risk group." 

She advised women to know their breast status because breast cancer was not a respecter of persons.

She said breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women where the breast’s cells proliferate out of control.  

Its symptoms, according to her, included a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast

She, therefore, implored women from age twenty (20) to start monthly breast self-examination and after age forty (40) women should start the baseline mammogram annually. 

She encouraged women to regularly visit the hospital for check-up since early detection of the disease was the surest way to fight breast cancer. 

The Breast Cancer Advocate said the situation, where some women after being diagnosed with breast cancer refuse to seek medical treatment and resort to prayer camps, with the hope of curing the cancer was not good. 

She urged the public to make good lifestyle choices to avoid the risk of getting breast cancer.

She said although rare, men could also be affected by breast cancer and, therefore, urged them to partake in such screening exercises.

She advised the public to treat with contempt disinformation on social media that sucking of breasts by men prevents and cures breast cancer.

"For me I say breast cancer is evil just like COVID-19 is evil.  This disease is not like malaria which will give you headache. It won't give you any symptom. It is painless."

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rosemond Boohene, described breast cancer as a health red flag which must be hoisted very high to attract the attention of policy makers, health practitioners and ordinary citizens. 

She advised the participants in the symposium and members of the University community at large to take advantage of the breast cancer month to get screened, since that was crucial to preventing the disease.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the consequences of the disease were dire, and called for women to seek early treatment to save lives. 

For his part, the President of the UCC SSA-UoG, Sandy Kumi Sinatra, indicated that the Association was passionate about championing a cause which will enhance the total health and well-being of members. 

He also called on Ghanaians to keep the discussion on breast cancer ongoing, seek early detection and embrace its treatment.

The UCC SSA-UoG President said the Leadership of the Association had taken the step to create awareness on the disease and encouraged regular examination. 

In an emotional display, photos of breast cancer sufferers were shown to the audience, throwing members of the audience into a state of shock and disbelief. 

Some survivors took turns to educate the gathering that breast cancer could be managed when detected early. 

As part of the programme, a breast cancer screening exercise was organized for women, where medical experts from Breast Care International counseled participants on availability of different and modern types of breast cancer treatment options.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC