‘Breast Cancer Is Not Curse’

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, a consultant and breast surgeon, has dispelled the wrong perception that breast cancer was caused by witch- craft, explaining that though the causal agent of the disease has not yet been known, it has no traces of curse or witchcraft.
She has therefore advised women to go for early and prompt clinical screening on breast cancer for detection and medication.
According to her, the alarming rate at which women were dying of breast cancer and other breast related diseases in the country demanded that those within the ages of 35 and 49 to undergo screening, irrespective of their health status.
Dr Wiafe who is the President of the Breast Care International (BCI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) was speaking to pressmen at Afrisipa, a mining town in the Tano North District of Brong-Ahafo Region, after about 500 women had undergone free breast screening exercise, jointly organized by the NGO and the Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) to mark the 5^th anniversary celebration of Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF).
NADeF was established by the Ahafo mine in 2008 to spearhead the execution of sustainable development in the 10 host communities around the mine and NGGL contributes one dollar per ounce of gold produced and one percent of its annual net profit to the foundation.
She said breast cancer was the number one disease killer among women, pointing out Ghana ranked 10^th in breast cancer burden in the world, an indication that the disease was alarming in the country.
Dr Wiafe said treatment becomes difficult when patients report late for medical attention and that explained why all women must ensure that they were screened.
She disclosed that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covered treatment of the disease and advised those who have been detected to seek prompt medical care rather than moving from one prayer camp to the other.
Dr Wiafe said breast cancer could only be diagnosed after test. She also highlighted that the disease was curable and advised religious organizations to support patients to seek medication.
She mentioned the liver, brain and bones as some of the target organs of the disease and with earlier detection it could be treated.
The President of BCI explained that the NGO had chosen to work in deprived communities due to the fact that women in those areas were the most affected.
 From Vivianna Mensah, Sunyani