By Regina Agana Akanteba
Experts in health have proposed that people, especially women, take advantage of the free breast cancer screening in facilities to get examined for early detection and proper treatment of the disease.
Addressing the media at the University of Ghana, Head of Clinical Pathology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Regina Appiah-Opong said treatment for breast cancer is very expensive and women should at least endeavor to do routine screening to be on the safer side.
The Noguchi Memorial Institute collaborated with the University of Ghana Hospital for the campaign in creating awareness on breast cancer.
The sensitization and screening was to encourage people especially women to avail themselves and partake in the screening process for early detection and proper treatment.
Engaging the media, Head of Clinical Pathology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Regina Appiah-Opong said the therapy for breast cancer is very exorbitant so women should endeavor to do regular examination for early detection and proper treatment.
Professor Appiah-Opong urged health practitioners in remote areas to encourage and educate women on how to do self-examination to avoid late complications.
‘’We are trying to say that treatment for cancer is very expensive, it runs into tens and thousands to treat cancer. And so, we are encouraging every woman not to allow that to happen to you. So please come very early and screen your breasts.
You will be surprised that the remote has a TV, but that will be enough to do the screening. I believe the Ghana Health Service is working seriously on that’’, she noted.
Gladys Manu is one of the Health Officials conducting the screening at the Center. She urged men to also get screened since they can also get diagnosed with the disease.
‘’It is going on well, the people are coming in. So far we have seen about 40 of them and we still encourage the men to show up’’.
GBC News spoke to some first time beneficiaries of the exercise.
‘’This is my first time and I feel relaxed’’. ‘’I think it is good to check or examine yourself medically anytime there’s the opportunity’’. ‘’I’m kind of nervous about the results and if it is possible that it can affect men then I think it is good for them to go through the process’’, another person said.
Some of the participants told GBC News the perception out there about the screening process is false and urged people to get screened for their health, sanity and safety.
