Kufuor Leads Breast Cancer Campaign

Former President Kufuor and wife with Eric Opoku and Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai at the event.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed concern over the devastating effects of breast cancer which is sending more women to their graves, calling for a collective effort to contain the deadly disease.

'My heart is filled with sorrow after seeing those pictures which show how some women have suffered or even lost their lives because of the deadly breast cancer disease,' the ex-President lamented.

Mr Kufuor was addressing a mammoth crowd of about 35,000 people including survivors of breast cancer who had converged at the Jubilee Park at Sunyani, capital of Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday morning.

The huge crowd, led by Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe-Addai and Eric Opoku, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, had earlier on, walked through the principal streets of Sunyani to mark this year's BCI Ghana 'Walk For The Cure 2014' held annually.

The programme was geared towards creating awareness and also educating the public about the deadly effects of breast cancer. This year's event was themed: 'Let's Join In The Fight, We Are Stronger Together.'

Mr Kufuor said the best way to deal with cancer, notably, breast cancer, was early detection and prompt action, saying, 'Report your breast ailments to qualified professionals at the hospitals.

The former President flatly debunked assertions that breast cancer was a disease which is caused by witches and wizards, saying that the disease is real and deadly so nobody should toy with it.

In this regard, Mr Kufuor sternly cautioned the people against taking breast cancer issues to shrines, churches and Imams.

He also cautioned men to refrain from divorcing their wives after they have been diagnosed for having breast cancer, noting that victims of the disease need the support of all to survive.

Eric Opoku, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, who represented President Mahama, disclosed that reported cases of breast cancer keep soaring in his region, charging all and sundry to play roles to contain the menace.

He said government had purchased an ultra-modern breast cancer screening machine at the Sunyani Government Hospital, 'So I admonish you to make good use of it by going for breast screening.'

Mr Opoku tasked the media, especially the radio stations to use their powerful medium to educate the public about the deadly nature of breast cancer to help save more human lives.

Dr Wiafe Addai, President, BCI, Ghana, described breast cancer as lethal, announcing that the disease kills one woman across the globe, every 60 seconds, adding that men too could develop breast cancer.

She stated that breast cancer is curable but she was quick to point out that the best way to deal adequately with the disease is early detection and prompt action, saying that the disease is not caused by witches.

Dr Mrs Wiafe Addai, who is also the CEO, Peace and Love Hospital, lamented that misconception and late reports of the disease to hospitals, were the major banes in the fight against breast cancer in the country.

Former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor, admonished breast cancer victims not to be shy of the disease, echoing that early detection and speedy action were the right ways to handle the disease.

Yejihene, Nana Piampim Kabrese, who is also the President, Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, pledged the support of traditional leaders of the country to help battle breast cancer.

 
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr  & Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani