Across the globe, the month of October has been marked for the Awareness of Breast Cancer with the purpose to aid the increase attention, early diagnosis, and treatment mostly among women and to an extent men inclusive.
According to WHO, breast cancer is one of the most dangerous disease devouring women in low-and middle-income countries of which Africa is inclusive. There has been steady increase of breast cancer due to changes in reproductive patterns and adoption of western lifestyle. About 1.7 million new cases and 522000 deaths has been recorded on breast cancer around the globe.
The District Health Directorate in collaboration with the District Assembly of Atiwa East District took upon themselves to sensitize the entire staff of the assembly on breast cancer which was held at the Assembly Hall on October 26th, 2023.
In attendance was the Honourable DCE, Kwabena Panin Nkansah, the DCD, Mr. Shakil Kpedua Mahamoud, Health Director Madam Efua Afful, staffs and some nurses of Atiwa East District.
In the course of the event, staff were sensitized on how to screen to detect irregularities in the breast tissue starting from the armpit or the chest region all the way to the nipples of the beast tissue. Women were advised by nurses to constantly check their breast for irregularities changes after 5 days of mensuration period. Reasons to that was breast tissue becomes very small in size, and lighter in weight, and very easy to detect for irregularities in the breast, and must not be done at the later part before mensuration period.
Women were advice to allow their husbands (if married) or boyfriends (if not married) to screen and detect breast irregularities for them if they can’t do it by themselves or to visit nearby health facility for checkup. Sucking of breast by men during romance does not prevent breast cancer and that perception must be taken away, but for fulfilment of pleasure. Men were advised also not to hard press the breast of woman during romance, or screening to check for irregularities in the breast because this can result in damage of certain delicate tissues in the breast.
For any formation of irregularities in the breast tissue does not means that you have breast cancer but an indication of disorder and need medical attention before it results into breast cancer.
The event was climaxed with screening of breast tissues of both women and men which was supervised by the District Health Director.
