Public policy advocacy group, Danquah Institute, has advised women to attack the issue of breast cancer with all the seriousness it deserves.
Board Secretary of the Institute, Mansa Williams, delivering a speech on behalf of the Executive Director, Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, on a breast cancer symposium themed; ‘Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Screening Practices in Ghana described breast cancer as a matter of national significance.
The symposium was organized by the institute and in partnership with the Women’s Commissioner, Senior Staff Association – University of Cape Coast.
“The Danquah Institute prides itself for providing the platform for dialogue on matters of importance and breast cancer is no doubt a matter of national significance. Today’s programme is an opportunity to hear about the knowledge and attitudes of breast cancer practices in Ghana,” she said.
With breast cancer not a disease to be taken for granted, she admits screening practices will determine whether or not the fight against breast cancer can be won or not.
Research has shown that the most frequently diagnosed cancer amongst women is breast cancer, with 31.8percent of cancer cases recorded in Ghana as at 2022 were cancer of the breast.
In Ghana and most developing countries, breast cancer is diagnosed normally at advanced stages as compared to developed countries where it is caught early as they undergo screening regularly.
“Our attitudes, knowledge and screening practices make the difference,” she reiterated.
On behalf of the Danquah Institute, she called for intensified sensitization efforts to equip women with the requisite knowledge to deal with breast cancer.
The Danquah Institute hopes to make the required impact, create awareness of breast cancer so lives are not lost incessantly.