It’s breast cancer month; make time for check-up – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has used breast cancer awareness month to urge Ghanaians to prioritize their health.
Commemorating this year’s ‘World breast cancer awareness month’ the first lady said regular check-ups must be normalized.
“As we go about our busy lives, I would ask that we make our health a priority and make time for a thorough check-up, please get examined as soon as you can. Early detection improves the chances of treatment of breast cancer. Let us take this seriously”.
“Do have a fruitful week. Thank you.” she wrote on Facebook.
As we go about our busy lives I would ask that we make our health a priority and make time for a thorough check up….
Posted by Rebecca Akufo-Addo on Monday, October 12, 2020
Globally, October is the month for breast cancer awareness, an annual campaign to create awareness of breast cancer disease.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women in Ghana and a leading cause of cancer morbidity. According to the National Strategy for Cancer Control (NSCC 2014-2017), in Ghana, most patients, approximately 50-70%, present with advanced (stage III and stage IV) disease many months (8-10 months) after first noticing a change in their breast.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. Treatment depends on the stage of cancer. It may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that 16,600 cases of cancer occur annually in Ghana, yielding an age-standardized rate of 109.5 cases per 100,000 persons.
The World Health Organisation estimates that globally more than 11 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year. The disease causes 7 million deaths every year or 12.5% of the 58 million deaths worldwide. This being more than the combined total deaths from HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and malaria.