Kasoa: The Meena Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has urged the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to incorporate ongoing breast cancer education into its civic programs. The foundation warns that the current seasonal awareness is insufficient amid the increasing breast cancer-related deaths in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the founder of the Meena Breast Cancer Foundation, emphasized the importance of integrating continuous breast cancer education into NCCE's public education mandate. He highlighted this need during a free breast cancer education and screening event at the Amina Mosque in Kasoa, which saw the participation of approximately 500 women. Mr. Kwarteng described breast cancer as a "national tragedy" that necessitates coordinated civic and health action beyond the typical October awareness campaigns.
Mr. Kwarteng pointed out that breast cancer is a daily threat to lives and called for a year-round civic and public health response. He suggested that the NCCE could replicate its past success with HIV education by incorporating breast cancer awareness into its community programs. Collaborating with the Ghana Health Service and NGOs, he argued, could ensure widespread community engagement and potentially save lives.
He reiterated the crucial nature of ongoing education, stating that it should occur daily to save lives and protect families, rather than being limited to the month of October. Statistics from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 indicate that Ghana experiences around 4,500 new breast cancer cases annually, with more than 2,000 resulting in death.
Dr. Osman Alidu, a Senior Medical Officer at St. Martins de Porres Catholic Hospital, commented on the broader health crisis that breast cancer represents in Ghana. He attributed the high mortality rates in Africa to late-stage diagnosis, weak health systems, and limited awareness, as noted by the World Health Organisation. Dr. Alidu emphasized that many Ghanaian women only seek medical attention once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, complicating early treatment efforts.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by financial constraints and limited access to oncology care, especially for women in rural areas. The concentration of treatment facilities in cities like Accra and Kumasi further limits early intervention opportunities for rural women. Dr. Alidu pointed out that hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle factors contribute to breast cancer, with nearly 70 percent of women presenting with late-stage cancer.
In response to Mr. Kwarteng's appeal, Ms. Henrietta Glikpo, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Director of the NCCE, expressed the Commission's willingness to collaborate with health authorities and NGOs. She acknowledged the need for screening programs alongside awareness initiatives and emphasized the importance of support from the health sector due to its specialized nature.
Ms. Glikpo highlighted the necessity for strengthened collaboration among the NCCE, Ghana Health Service, WHO, and civil society groups to enhance public education and screening efforts. She emphasized the need to extend these services to rural and low-income communities, where myths and stigma surrounding breast cancer continue to persist.
