October is globally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a period observed across countries to increase attention and support for awareness, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care for women affected by the disease.
According to Mrs. Betty Maame Arko, Head of Public Health at the Tema Urban Hospital, early diagnosis remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. “When found early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured,” she said.
However, she explained that when detected late, curative treatment is often no longer an option. “In such cases, treatment may improve quality of life and delay disease progression, while supportive and palliative care should be readily available to relieve suffering for patients and their families,” Mrs. Arko added.
She revealed that the majority of women who die from breast cancer—an estimated 324,000 globally—live in low- and middle-income countries, where most cases are diagnosed at late stages due to limited awareness among the public and healthcare providers, as well as inadequate access to timely, affordable, and effective diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking with Aduanaba K. Amponsah, Mrs. Arko urged Ghanaians to embrace regular self-examination and routine check-ups. She also called for an end to the stigma surrounding breast cancer, emphasizing that “illness is never a choice.”
By: Aduanaba/Planbfmonline.com
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