First Lady courts support for breast cancer awareness
The First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has observed that breast cancer issues required awareness creation, education, research, advocacy and the provision of health services and social support programmes.
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She has therefore commended Breast Care International (BCI), for being very instrumental in making breast cancer an urgent issue for national attention and in raising funds to support education, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
"Today more Ghanaians know about breast cancer and what to do because of organisations like BCI. I am particularly pleased that institutions such as BCI have for years spear-headed education, awareness and screening campaigns to prompt people into action, address the gap and help save our women. Ayeeko to BCI for its dedication to the cause of women in Ghana", she added.
Mrs.Akufo -Addo said these at a durbar after she had joined in this year's breast cancer awareness walk held in Koforidua in the Eastern region on Saturday.
Walk
The walk which started from the prisons park and ended at the Jackson Park, attracted ministers of state, municipal and district chief executives, celebrities a delegation from the United States, students and people from all walks of life.
In all an estimated crowd of over 30,000, according to local organisers, took part in the walk which brought the hitherto quiet Koforidua township to a standstill.
Deaths in women
According to Mrs. Akufo-Addo, it is now common knowledge that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
But she said, although early detection can lead to cure, some women unfortunately use non-proven methods and go to the hospital late for treatment.
Pledge
She said, her Foundation has pledged to help drive the building of a one-stop cancer centre in the country and hoped that this would make a significant impact on cancer care especially breast cancer.
Challenge
Mrs. Akufo - Addo challenged BCI to increase the number of survivors from the present 800 to 2,000 in the foreseeable future in a bid to boost public confidence in the various treatment options of the disease, pointing out that "breast cancer can be scary but we cannot allow it to beat us. We have it in us to defeat it".
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Eric Kwakye Darfour was of the view that breast cancer was no respecter of persons and therefore called for an intensive awareness creation.
The Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Professor Dasebre Oti Boateng, also commended BCI for its awareness creation of the disease.
The Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospitals, who doubles as the President of BCI, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, thanked partners for their continuous roles in bringing education on breast cancer to the doorsteps of Ghanaians.