Dr Magdalene Bakari, the Lead Specialist for Health Services, Gold Fields Ghana, said breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of the gender, and so the need for both men and women to frequently examine their breasts.
She emphasised that although breast cancer was common in women, men could also be affected.
“For our gentlemen, we know you do not have menstrual cycles, so you can examine your breast at any time of the month. Please try and examine your breast at least once a month,” Dr Bakari advised.
The Lead Specialist noted this during a breast screening programme for market women at Damang in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
The programme was organized by Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL) with support from the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).
Dr Bakari said: “Women, be on the lookout for signs like lumps, nipple discharge, skin texture, sores or any swelling in your armpits when examining your breast.”
She also directed women to look at their breasts in the mirror and take note of the size, shape, colour, and skin, as this would enable them to notice any changes.
“We have dedicated the month of October to educate the people in our communities about breast cancer. Our screening initiative began at Fiaseman Senior High School in Tarkwa, and we have now moved the services directly to the market women of Damang,” she said.
She emphasised that their objective for the exercise was to advocate proactive health through self-breast examination and regular screening.
Dr Bakari, therefore, called on women above 40 years to have regular breast check-ups with a doctor or nurse once a year and learn how to do a proper self-breast examination.
“During the screening, we found a few individuals with breast lumps and discharge from their nipples, though they are not breastfeeding or pregnant. Some also had breast pain that required further investigation” Dr Bakari revealed.
She stated that they would offer the needed assistance to those individuals to help determine the underlying causes of their symptoms to enable them to receive appropriate treatment without delay.
Madam Irene Asaah, a trader, who took part in the exercise applauded AGL and the GFGF for extending the laudable programme to the Damang main market and called for more programmes to support women’s health.
GNA
