SCORES OF people predominantly youth in the Kumasi Metropolis last Saturday joined Ama Ampofo Agyei, Senior Midwife at Manhyia Government Hospital and show host at Wontumi Media to walk across the principal streets to create awareness of breast cancer disease.

Clad in pink and as well as distinctively black outfits, patrons including staff and workers from the Manhyia Government hospital walked amidst brass band music while displaying flyers that showed effects of breast cancer disease.

Addressing the media after the six (6) hour walk and aerobics session at the precincts of the Manhyia Government hospital, Madam Ampofo Agyei said she was happy about the awareness they had been able to create about breast cancer as well as the remedial treatments including screening and diagnosis which are available at the hospital.

“I am happy that we have been able to use this walk across the streets to drum home the point that every woman must occasionally go for breast screening apart from the periodic examinations they do on their breasts in the house so that they could seek care when they discover any usual happenings”, Madam Agyei noted.

Medical Practictioner:

Dr Randolph Adu Baah, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Kwadaso SDA Hospital said breast cancer disease was wreaking havoc amongst women particularly.

He noted that the disease still has no stated cause but mentioned that early diagnosis and treatment was an effective identified measure to dealing with it.

Dr Adu Baah said many in the country still had misconceptions about the disease with some attributing it to being a curse or spiritual disease.

“I believe a careful, conscious and sustained awareness creating measure would help to demystify the misconceptions about the disease and thereby help to encourage people to report such cases to the hospitals across the country”, the medical practitioner posited.

Public Health Officer:

Mavis Ama Bemah, Public Health Officer at the Manhyia Government Hospital said breast examination and screening was a good way to determine the health of same.

She asked spouses of women to help in examining the state of the breasts so that they could deal with any usual occurrence they may find at the hospitals.

Madam Bemah announced that the Manhyia Government hospital had set up a special counselling center called Well Woman Centre where they discuss with ladies who may be  facing or dealing with health issues.

“It is good to note that this hospital has a center where we address all issues affecting women including health decisions they would have to take in order to have treatment for things they may be suffering from”, Madam Bemah stated.

By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie 

Kumasi