The International Maritime Hospital (IMAH) in Tema Community 3 has launched its 2026 Pink October campaign with a call on the public to prioritise early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
The campaign, held on the premises of IMAH under the theme “Early Action, Better Outcomes,” seeks to raise awareness about breast cancer, encourage regular screening and promote early intervention.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairperson for the occasion and Tema West Municipal Director of Health, Dr Mercy Obrempong Owusu, stressed that breast cancer affects more than just the individual diagnosed with the disease.
She said the impact extends to spouses, children, parents, the church and the wider community, making breast cancer a collective public health concern.
According to her, the fight against the disease cannot be left to health professionals alone but requires the active participation of individuals, families, employers and communities.
Dr Owusu urged people not to allow fear of the cost of treatment or stigma to prevent them from seeking medical attention when they notice unusual changes in their breasts.
She encouraged women to make time for their health and pay attention to signs and symptoms, while calling on men to support their spouses and other women in their lives by encouraging them to undergo regular breast examinations.
She also appealed to employers to support breast cancer screening initiatives for their staff to facilitate early detection.
The Chief Executive Officer of IMAH, Dr Med Ned Vitus Victor Anaab-Bisi, said breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women and expressed concern about the number of cases being detected at advanced stages.
He said more than 5,400 new breast cancer cases were recorded in Ghana in 2024, with 2,695 deaths attributed to the disease.
Dr Anaab-Bisi noted that one of the major challenges was late presentation, which makes treatment more complicated and can result in poorer outcomes.
He emphasised that breast cancer detected and treated early offers significantly better prospects than cases diagnosed at a later stage.
As part of the hospital’s contribution to the campaign, he announced plans for IMAH to organise a free health screening exercise later in October for walk-in clients.
He said the hospital would also intensify breast cancer education and awareness activities in communities and workplaces while extending its outreach to corporate partners.
According to him, IMAH will support individuals who require further medical investigations by offering significant discounts on mammograms and ultrasound scans.
Dr Anaab-Bisi urged the public to familiarise themselves with the warning signs of breast cancer and make arrangements to undergo appropriate screening.
The Member of Parliament for Tema West, James Enu, also encouraged young people to make healthy choices, particularly in their diet, and avoid tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and other harmful substances.
He urged parents and loved ones to take their health seriously and announced plans to organise free hepatitis B and breast cancer screening exercises across the Tema West constituency.
His counterpart, the Member of Parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamten, reiterated the importance of early detection and encouraged residents to take advantage of available screening opportunities.
A representative of the Breast Society of Ghana and clinical oncologist, Dr Juanita Brehua-Nkansah, also highlighted the importance of regular health checks.
She noted that a person could feel perfectly well and still have breast cancer, stressing the need to pay attention to unusual changes in the breast, including abnormal nipple discharge.
Meanwhile, breast cancer survivor Madam Bridget Emefa Van-Johnson shared her personal experience with the disease and the difficult journey she went through before her recovery.
She recalled undergoing six sessions of chemotherapy as part of the process of determining the extent of the disease before surgery.
Madam Van-Johnson described the period as one of the most challenging moments of her life, admitting that she at some point considered abandoning the treatment and surgery.
However, she said encouragement from her family gave her the strength to continue fighting.
She recalled experiencing allergic reactions and other symptoms during treatment, including hair loss, which prompted her to shave her hair completely.
She said the experience left her traumatised and physically weak, but expressed gratitude to the medical team for the care and successful surgery she received.
Now in recovery, Madam Van-Johnson urged the public, particularly women, to pay close attention to changes in their bodies and seek medical attention early.
She encouraged women to undergo regular breast screening, stressing that early detection can make a significant difference in the treatment and management of breast cancer
By: Bernard Mensah
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