Let us demystify cancer- Dr Wiafe-Addai

Kumasi, Nov.7, GNA - Dr (Mrs) B. Wiafe-Addai, Specialist in Breast Pathology, has called for an intensive education and outreach programmes to unveil and counteract the mysteries surrounding breast cancer to reduce its mortality in women.

She said an aggressive approach to breast cancer screening and management could help women identify the disease early and seek medical attention.

Dr Wiafe-Addai, who is also the Executive Director of Peace and Love Hospital at Oduom in Kumasi, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi after a breast screening outreach programme at Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo region.

She said out of the 3,050 women screened at the hospital since its inception in 2002, 250 of them were confirmed to have breast cancer. Dr Wiafe-Addai said 60 per cent of the affected women were below 50 years and described the situation as unfortunate, since that was the age most women were found to be very active as mothers and wives.

She said Peace and Love Hospital and Breast Cancer International (BCI) an NGO based in Kumasi, have therefore, dedicated themselves to the creation of breast cancer awareness among Ghanaian women. Dr Wiafe-Addai said the awareness programme had been undertaken especially in the rural areas to educate women on the disease, undertake mass screening exercises, diagnoses, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation as well as research into the various breast pathologies in Ghana.

She said women in about 64 communities throughout the country had benefited from the exercise. Dr Wiafe-Addai said the outreach programmes sought to educate Ghanaian women and get them well informed that, breast cancer was a reality in Ghana and women should be made aware and not scared of the disease.

She called for a concerted effort by Ghanaians to unravel the myth and fears surrounding the disease and create the awareness that the disease could be treated when reported early.