HIPC FUND TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS (BACK PAGE)

THE government is to make available adequate resources from the HIPC Fund to actively support breast cancer education in the country as a way of creating the requisite awareness about the dangers associated with the disease.
With sufficient financial support by the government, the capacity of women across the country will be built to enable them to appreciate the need to seek early medical treatment when infected with the disease.
This is to reduce complications associated with breast cancer, high cost of treatment and mortality rate.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, who announced this, pointed out that with the requisite financial resources to intensify education on breast cancer and the danger it posed to women, ignorance associated with the disease would be reduced.
He was speaking at a free breast cancer screening exercise organised by Breast Care International (BCI), in collaboration with Peace and Love Hospital for women at Agogo in the Asante Akim District last Sunday.
The minister said breast cancer education would make it possible for women in particular to appreciate the need to seek early medical treatment when infected to promote healthy lifestyles among them to prolong their lives.
As many as 730 women, including students from Collins Secondary Commercial, Agogo Presbyterian Training College and traditional authorities from the Agogo township and its environs, benefited from the exercise.
The beneficiaries were also schooled on the Hepatitis B virus modes of infection and mortality rate.
Mr Baah Wiredu commended BCI, a Kumasi-based NGO, for its commitment in creating awareness on breast cancer and Hepatitis B, which, he said, were having a big toll on Ghanaians.
The President of BCI, Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, educated the participants on the symptoms of breast cancer and how to undertake monthly breast examinations.
She pointed out that with the regular examinations, they would be able to detect any form of abnormality in their breast to enable them to seek early medical care
She noted that since the disease could infect anybody, irrespective of status, ethnic group and age, the need for women to undertake self monthly breast examination and also seek early medical treatment instead of resorting to the use of herbal treatment was key to promoting good health among them.