Ghana launches Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In this month of October, you will come across a lot of people, particularly, health care professionals wearing pink ribbons. it is not because pink has suddenly become the preferred colour but to commemorate October as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Advertisement
The month-long awareness campaign was launched in Ghana by the first Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, on Monday, October 2, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
" If we are to make a headway in improving the sad outcomes of Ghanaians with breast cancer, we then cannot ignore the two pillars of options- early detection and effective treatment"- she said.
The importance of early detection and treatment was further buoyed by a comprehensive symposium organised by the Korle Bu Breast Team, the Greater Accra Division of the Ghana Medical Association and Roche pharmaceuticals.
Under the chairmanship of Prof J.N. Clegg-Lamptey, Mr Ben Baako and Mrs Ama Nkansah, all cadres of health care professionals were educated on how to detect breast cancer early and treatment options available.
Speakers included Dr Florence Dedey, Dr Nii Armah Adu-Aryee, Dr Oheneba-Williams, Dr Lawrence Edusei, Dr Hanna Aryeetey and Mary-Ann Dadzie.
Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women. In less-developed countries, it is the leading cause of cancer death in women, surpassed only by lung cancer in advanced worlds.
Many people with early breast cancers are without symptoms. Pain or discomfort is not usually a symptom, often first detected as an abnormality on a mammogram before it is felt by the patient or healthcare provider.
The exact cause of breast cancer is not known; however, studies have identified a number of risk factors associated with an increased risk of a woman developing breast cancer.
These include;
• Age and gender - Increasing age and female sex are established risk factors for breast cancer. Although breast cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in women younger than 40 years, the risk increases significantly after 40years.
• Family history of breast cancer - A positive family history of breast cancer is the most widely recognized risk factor for breast cancer. The lifetime risk is up to four times higher if a mother and sister are affected, and it is about five times greater in women who have two or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer.
• Reproductive factors and steroid hormones - Late age at first pregnancy, inability to conceive, early onset of menses and late age of menopause have all been consistently associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of sex hormones explains the association between breast cancer and reproductive behaviours. High estrogen levels has been associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
• Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy carries approximately 25 per cent risk of breast cancer among users. The risk appears to decrease with age and time since the oral contraceptives were stopped, returning to that of the general population 10 years after cessation of the oral contraceptives
• Prior breast health history - A history of breast cancer is associated with a three-to four-fold increased risk of a second primary cancer in the other breast.
• Lifestyle risk factors - The wide variability of breast cancer incidence around the world has long been attributed to differences in dietary intake and reproductive patterns.
In general, rates differ according to the level of industrialisation, increasing as the developmental status increases.
• Diets rich in grains, fruits, and vegetables; low in saturated fats; low in calories and low in alcohol are thought to be protective against breast cancer.
• Obesity is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer development. This stems from the fact that most of the causes of obesity i.e. western dietary pattern, sedentary lifestyle, regular use of alcohol are all linked to an increased incidence of many cancers including that of breast.
Epidemiologic studies have consistently found a positive relation between breast cancer risk and early-life exposures such as diet, obesity, and body size although the mechanism of this relation is poorly understood.
Advertisement
To be continued
[email protected]
A member of Paediatric Society of Ghana.