Agortime-Ziope Health Directorate steps up breast cancer awareness campaign

The Agortime-Ziope District Health Directorate has intensified public education on breast cancer, organizing a health walk in collaboration with World Vision, Compassion Ghana, the National Health Insurance Scheme, security agencies, teachers, the District Assembly and other partners.

The walk, held on Thursday through the principal streets of Agortime Kpetoe to climax Breast Cancer Awareness Month, brought together health workers, students, security personnel, teachers and community members to promote early detection and regular screening.

District Director of Health Services, Mr. Emmanuel Ayamga Awine, said the initiative was part of the Directorate's efforts to raise awareness about the disease and highlight the importance of early detection in improving treatment outcomes.

According to him, breast cancer remains a major public health concern, especially among women, and early diagnosis is critical to effective treatment and higher survival rates.

Mr. Awine noted that the campaign also aligns with the objectives of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, which focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and early intervention.

"As a district implementing free primary healthcare, we saw it as important to use this opportunity to educate everyone so that each person can tell another that breast cancer is real and early detection is critical," he stated.

To expand access to services beyond the walk, he said the Directorate had set up screening points at strategic locations, including a designated centre at the Ghana Immigration Service facility due to its central location.

He added that screening would continue at the district health facility for participants and the general public until Saturday, and encouraged residents to prioritize breast health screening.

District Health Promotion Officer, Ms. Shine Gavey, described the exercise as successful, with active participation from government institutions, Senior High School students and community members.

She urged women to regularly examine their breasts, preferably after their menstrual periods, and to promptly seek medical care when they notice unusual changes, emphasizing that self-examination helps women know their normal breast state and detect abnormalities early.

Ms. Gavey also listed warning signs to watch for, including lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in shape or appearance, nipples turning inward and unusual skin changes, stressing that such signs do not automatically mean cancer but require urgent medical assessment.

She reminded the public that breast cancer can also affect men, though it is more prevalent in women, and advised against limiting screening to October alone, urging year-round checks and visits to health facilities for accurate information.

The Directorate, she said, has scheduled further screenings at the District Assembly, the GRA Customs Division and other institutions, and will continue working with partners to strengthen health education and promote early detection across the district.