Forshes Africa Foundation and Baptist Church lead breast cancer awareness campaign in Hohoe

Forshes Africa Foundation has partnered with the Baptist International Church, Hohoe Abansi, to organise a breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at educating women on the disease.

The programme, held on the premises of the Baptist International Church at Hohoe Abansi, sought to empower women with accurate information on prevention, early detection and regular screening for breast cancer.

Addressing participants, the Programme Manager of Forshes Africa Foundation, Pastor Jones Nana Boame, emphasised that early detection through regular screening remains one of the most effective ways to save lives.

He explained that screening helps to identify breast cancer at an early stage before it progresses and becomes more difficult to treat, describing it as a wise and proactive health decision.

Pastor Boame noted that although breast cancer can affect both men and women, women are more vulnerable, hence the need for sustained public education and awareness creation.

He stressed that increased knowledge and regular check-ups could significantly reduce the number of deaths associated with the disease.

Taking participants through the health education session, Mr Jonas Ntikie Njibe, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe, explained that breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow in an uncontrolled manner.

He took time to educate the women on common symptoms, risk factors, and the critical importance of early detection, while demonstrating how to conduct regular self-breast examinations.

According to him, many cases are reported at health facilities at an advanced stage because some women delay seeking medical attention even after noticing unusual changes in their breasts.

He therefore urged women to promptly report any abnormal changes to the nearest health facility and to take advantage of available screening services.

Mr Njibe further noted that while there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk, including avoiding excessive alcohol intake and smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and practising exclusive breastfeeding.

He also called on churches and other organisations to include health awareness programmes in their corporate social responsibility activities, adding that such initiatives could go a long way to reduce the burden of breast cancer among women.

Some beneficiaries who participated in the campaign expressed appreciation to Forshes Africa Foundation and the church for the initiative, saying the education had equipped them with valuable knowledge on breast cancer, self-examination and the importance of seeking early medical care.