Ghana Nut Company Limited and its affiliates have organised a two-day free breast cancer screening and awareness program for residents of Techiman and surrounding communities in the Bono East Region as part of efforts to promote women’s health, encourage early detection and support people affected by the disease.
The program, held under the theme “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters,” brought together health professionals, women and other community members to educate participants on breast cancer, the importance of regular screening and the need for timely medical intervention.
The first day of the program focused on free breast cancer screening under the theme “Know Your Status, Save Your Life,” providing residents with an opportunity to access screening services and know their breast health status without financial cost.
The second day, held under the theme “Empowering Women for Better Health,” featured an awareness session during which health professionals educated participants on breast cancer, its prevention, early warning signs, screening procedures and available treatment options.
Speaking during the awareness session, Dr. Kingsley Bosompem, General Surgeon and Lead in Breast Care at Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, said the breast cancer situation in Techiman was not significantly different from what was being experienced across Ghana and other parts of Africa.
He, however, expressed concern about the number of patients reporting to health facilities with advanced stages of the disease, describing late detection as one of the major challenges confronting efforts to effectively manage breast cancer.
Dr. Bosompem disclosed that Holy Family Hospital had diagnosed between 90 and 100 patients with breast cancer over the past year, with most of the cases presenting at advanced stages.
“Breast cancer cases in Techiman are not significantly different from what is recorded across the country and other parts of Africa. However, our major concern is that two out of every three cases we receive here in Techiman are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
“Over the past year, Holy Family Hospital has diagnosed between 90 and 100 patients with breast cancer, and most of these cases were at an advanced stage,” he stated.
He explained that early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and survival, urging women to take personal responsibility for their breast health by undertaking regular breast examinations and seeking professional medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes.
According to him, countries that have made significant progress in managing breast cancer have prioritised early detection and prompt treatment, which have contributed to reducing deaths associated with the disease.
“Early detection of breast cancer helps save lives because when the disease is detected early, it can be treated successfully and, in many cases, cured. This is what happens in developed countries, where early detection and prompt treatment have helped reduce deaths associated with breast cancer. Unfortunately, that is not the situation in Ghana, and Techiman is no exception,” he said.
Dr. Bosompem further encouraged women to learn how to examine their breasts regularly and visit the nearest health facility for professional screening rather than waiting until they experience severe symptoms before seeking medical attention.
“I will encourage our women to learn how to examine their breasts every month or visit the nearest health facility for regular breast examinations to help detect the disease early. There are several advanced technologies and treatment options available for fighting breast cancer. I would therefore urge women to visit health facilities regularly for screening and seek prompt treatment whenever necessary,” he advised.
He emphasised that breast cancer awareness should go beyond occasional campaigns, calling for sustained public education to encourage women to overcome fear, stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease and seek medical assistance when necessary.
On his part, Mr. Eric Adjei, General Manager, Technical Operations at Ghana Nut Company Limited, said the two-day program formed part of the company’s commitment to improving community health and supporting women through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
He explained that the activities were organised in recognition of Pink October, an annual breast cancer awareness campaign dedicated to promoting public education, early detection and support for people living with breast cancer.
Mr. Adjei said the company’s intervention was designed not only to create awareness but also to provide practical support through free screening services and donations to selected health facilities in Techiman.
“We are in Pink October, and Pink October is all about creating awareness about breast cancer, promoting early detection and supporting breast cancer patients. That is what Ghana Nut Company Limited and its affiliates are doing this week.
“As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we have created a platform for people to access free breast cancer screening and are also finding ways to support victims of breast cancer. Three days ago, we donated some essential items in support of breast cancer patients to selected hospitals in Techiman. Yesterday, we organised a free breast cancer screening exercise, and today, we are climaxing the activities with a health talk,” he explained.
He noted that the company’s decision to organise the program was informed by the need to make breast cancer education and screening more accessible to residents, particularly women who may not otherwise have the opportunity or resources to undergo regular examinations.
Mr. Adjei stressed that breast cancer was not a disease that occurred only during Pink October, urging women to maintain regular breast health checks and take advantage of screening opportunities throughout the year.
“The truth is that breast cancer does not happen only in October. Therefore, regular breast examinations and routine screening at health facilities can go a long way in protecting ourselves and ensuring early detection.
“We want women to understand that taking care of their health should be a continuous responsibility and not something they do only when there is an awareness campaign,” he explained.
Some beneficiaries who participated in the screening exercise and awareness program expressed gratitude to Ghana Nut Company Limited and its affiliates for the intervention, describing it as an important contribution towards improving access to breast cancer education and screening services in the municipality.
They said the free screening exercise had provided them with an opportunity to check their breast health without worrying about the financial cost, while the awareness session had equipped them with useful information on identifying possible warning signs and seeking early medical attention.
The beneficiaries commended the company for extending its corporate social responsibility activities beyond its business operations to address important health concerns affecting communities.
“We are grateful to Ghana Nut Company Limited and its affiliates for organising this programme and giving us the opportunity to undergo breast cancer screening for free. Not everyone can afford regular screening, so this initiative has come at the right time. We have also learnt a lot about breast cancer and the importance of checking our breasts regularly. We hope the company will continue with this initiative to benefit more women,” one of the beneficiaries said.
Another beneficiary called on other corporate organisations, institutions and stakeholders to support similar health interventions, noting that sustained awareness creation and accessible screening services could help reduce late detection and improve treatment outcomes.
She urged women not to allow fear or misconceptions to prevent them from seeking medical attention, adding that regular health checks were essential to protecting their lives.
The program forms part of Ghana Nut Company Limited and its affiliates’ broader commitment to community development and social responsibility, with particular attention to health education, women’s well-being and support for vulnerable members of society.
Source: Newspyramid.co
