Over 100 women from Abeka and adjoining communities in the Okai Koi enclave of the Greater Accra Region have undergone Breast Cancer screening as part of activities marking Breast Cancer awareness for the month of October.
The gesture by ASA Savings and Loans Limited, was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote the wellbeing of women in the targeted communities and also increase breast cancer awareness in the area. This was done in collaboration with a medical team from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The gesture was also to sensitize women on the dangers of Breast Cancer and how they can prevent themselves from such ailments.
During the exercise, medical Officers detected 3 abnormalities in the breast of the women who were referred for mammogram and report to Korle Bu for follow-up assessment and management. Another 40 women above 40 years were requested to do a routine baseline mammogram.
Medical Officers who conducted the screening exercise emphasized the need for the populace especially women to seek more information on breast cancer.
A Senior Nurse In-charge from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital , Madam Julitta McCarthy outlined Breast Cancer risk factors to be smoking, excessive alcohol intake, late birth delivery, early and late menopause.
She thus urged women to seek early treatment upon detecting symptoms of breast cancer.
She added that breast Cancer remains a common cancer affecting women in the reproductive age in Ghana and women must not take chances. “It is imperative to harness advocacy of breast cancer screening to facilitate early presentation, detection, referral and management” she reiterated.
The Divisional Manager of ASA for the area, Madam Joana Odei Larbi advised women to avoid resorting to prayer and spiritual camps when seeking treatment for breast cancer-related ailments.
The Abeka Branch Manager of ASA Savings and Loans, Gertrude Ahinakwah said more resources are being dedicated to supporting breast cancer awareness campaigns to save lives.
The Lapaz Area manager for ASA Savings and Loans, Harriet Quaye said the increasing breast cancer cases among women in Ghana calls for strengthening efforts to reduce the prevalence.
She indicated the Company’s aim was to ensure early detection, adequate diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer-related ailments especially among the vulnerable.
Mr Richard Nartey, CSR Manager of ASA pledged the company’s resolve to go beyond its financial inclusion drive to work at saving the lives of the citizenry.