Many joins BCI ‘Walk for the Cure’ to fight breast cancer in Ghana

About thirty thousand people participated in the 2024 BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure at Ejisu in the Ejisu municipality in the Ashanti region, Ghana.

The 12th edition of the walk was to sensitize Ghanaians on the causes, symptoms, treatments, and dangers associated with breast cancer.

Held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, it attracted students, breast cancer survivors, traditional leaders, foreigners, security agencies, government appointees and civil society organizations.

The walk, Ghana's biggest and longest breast cancer awareness campaign, was on the theme "Together we can change the narratives about cancers in Africa."

The annual event was organized by Breast Care International (BCI), Peace and Love Hospitals, with support from Delta Airlines, and other organizations.

The participants were led by the President of BCI, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah, and other foreign dignitaries.

The enthusiastic participants paraded through the streets of Ejisu, holding placards with some inscriptions, 'Breast Cancer Is Curable', Early Detection Saves Lives' among others.

The President of BCI, Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, addressing the gathering stressed the need to tackle breast cancer holistically, considering the high rate of the disease in Ghana.

She noted that since 2020, the country has recorded 2,300 deaths out of 5,000 reported cases of breast cancer, a situation she described as "worrying."

To avert the situation, Dr Wiafe Addai said the country needs comprehensive cancer care of excellence to take care of cancer-related cases at affordable costs.

"Fortunately for Ghana, BCI, and Global Health Catalyst have collaborated in constructing that centre at Kwaso, near Ejisu, to take care of cancers not only in Ghana but in West Africa, we, therefore, ask for your support", she added.

Concluding her speech, Dr Wiafe Addai who is also the CEO of Love and Love Hospitals, said "Breast cancer is treatable, curable, and preventable if reported early to the hospital. Avoid self-treatment and the use of traditional herbs, because it's not sustainable."

An Executive Member of Delta Airlines, Ralph Albus, promises to continually partner with BCI to intensify its community awareness creation and screening on breast cancer and has promised to increase their financial support to BCI.

“Since 2016, Delta Airlines, through Breast Care International, have reached more than 200,000 people, more than 20,000 people screened, some 2,000 suspected cases of breast cancer have been identified that may otherwise have been undetected," he said.

Ralph Albus added, “Given this, Delta Airlines will continue to support BCI to intensify the breast cancer community awareness in the efforts to combat the dreadful disease, this time, by increasing our support package.”

The Paramount Queen mother of Ejisu Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, who graced the event commended Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai for her selfless dedication towards improving women's lives, particularly, in breast cancer.

She asked women to adopt a self-breast examination and report immediately to the hospital if they suspect anything unusual in the breast for prompt actions to be taken.

"The disease is not caused by the agents of witchcraft so must not be treated with traditional medicine. Doing so rather complicates the situation, making it difficult for its treatment at the hospital," Nana Yaa Asantewaa also advised.