The Lordina Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission, has organised a breast cancer and HIV screening medical outreach for residents in the Krowor Municipality (Nungua) in the Greater Accra Region.
The outreach, which aimed among others at improving access to early detection, prevention, health education and timely referral to care, saw the people in the community screened for various conditions including breast cancer, HIV testing services, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), tuberculosis (TB), blood sugar monitoring, as well as a condom demonstration and distribution.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, who spoke on behalf of the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, called for society to pay attention to the social, emotional and economic challenges that people affected by breast cancer and their families face throughout the medical journey.
She said a diagnosis could disrupt employment, affect small businesses, reduce household income, increase caregiving responsibility and place additional pressure on families already experiencing financial difficulties.
Dr Lartey, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Krowor Constituency, emphasised that breast cancer remained a significant public health concern in Ghana.
She emphasised that addressing breast cancer required more than medical treatment; she called on society to work together to promote supportive environments where affected persons could access appropriate care, receive emotional and practical assistance and continue to live with dignity.
Figures
Citing the Ghana Health Service, Dr Lartey said figures in 2025 indicated that approximately 5,000 new cases were recorded annually, with nearly 2,000 deaths.
“Behind these figures are mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, colleagues, and friends whose lives and families are affected by this disease.
These realities remind us of the urgency that we need to strengthen awareness, encourage early detection and promote timely access to appropriate medical care,” she said.
She encouraged all to consult qualified health professionals about appropriate screening and follow-up care, adding that they must also confront the myths, fear and stigma that discouraged people from seeking medical attention.
Continuous public education
The Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said breast cancer and HIV were important public health concerns that required continuous education, early detection, and timely access to care, and added that early detection could improve treatment outcomes and save lots of lives, while knowing ones HIV status was an important step towards protecting one's health.
“Those who test positive should be linked to appropriate treatment and support, while those who test negative should receive information on prevention and protect their negative status.
We must also continue to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination, which prevent people from seeking testing and treatment,” she said.
He advised men and women to understand the importance of recognising unusual changes in their breasts, seek medical attention promptly and access appropriate medical care.
The Municipal Director of Health Services for Krowor, Dr Seli Deh, said that although the breasts, through breastmilk, provide life to children, they could also lead to one’s death, so it was important for them to take good care of them.
She advised those who were diagnosed with the condition not to get scared of the cost of treatment, as there were interventions such as the Free Primary Health Care and MahamaCare that they could take advantage of.
